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NTSB Report
December 13, 1985 · Gates Learjet 35A · N723GL
College Station, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 13, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
College Station, TX
Aircraft
Gates Learjet 35A
Tail Number
N723GL
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW86FA025
THE ACFT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED AFTER A CATASTROPHIC (UNCONTAINED) FAILURE OF THE RT ENG DURING TAKEOFF FOR A NIGHT FLT. THE RT ENG FAN ROTOR DISC SEPARATED FROM THE HUB WHICH DAMAGED THE COWLING AND SOME DISC FRAGMENTS BURIED IN THE FUSELAGE BUT WITHOUT DAMAGE TO THE FLT CONTROLS. THE DRAG CREATED BY THE LOSS OF THRUST AND THE DISTORTED COWLING LED TO YAW AND ROLL WITH LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE ACFT. THE FAN FAILURE PROPAGATED FROM A LOW GRADE FATIGUE CRACK ON THE HIGH TIME FAN WHICH WAS NOT DETECTED BY THE VISUAL INSPECTION PROCEDURES EXISTING AT THE TIME. THE MAUNUFACTURER HAS SINCE IMPROVED THE MANUFACTURING AND INSPECTION TECHNIQUES. AN AD 86-04-02 WAS ISSUED ON 2/14/86 WHICH DEALS WITH FAN REMOVAL FROM SERVICE ACCORDING TO AN OPERATING CYCLE SCHEDULE.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED AFTER A CATASTROPHIC (UNCONTAINED) FAILURE OF THE RT ENG DURING TAKEOFF FOR A NIGHT FLT. THE RT ENG FAN ROTOR DISC SEPARATED FROM THE HUB WHICH DAMAGED THE COWLING AND SOME DISC FRAGMENTS BURIED IN THE FUSELAGE BUT WITHOUT DAMAGE TO THE FLT CONTROLS. THE DRAG CREATED BY THE LOSS OF THRUST AND THE DISTORTED COWLING LED TO YAW AND ROLL WITH LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE ACFT. THE FAN FAILURE PROPAGATED FROM A LOW GRADE FATIGUE CRACK ON THE HIGH TIME FAN WHICH WAS NOT DETECTED BY THE VISUAL INSPECTION PROCEDURES EXISTING AT THE TIME. THE MAUNUFACTURER HAS SINCE IMPROVED THE MANUFACTURING AND INSPECTION TECHNIQUES. AN AD 86-04-02 WAS ISSUED ON 2/14/86 WHICH DEALS WITH FAN REMOVAL FROM SERVICE ACCORDING TO AN OPERATING CYCLE SCHEDULE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:21 CST
Nearest AirportEasterwood (0nm N)
Runway28
Runway Length5161 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionIflt
Aircraft
AircraftGates Learjet 35A
Tail NumberN723GL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGarrett · TFE-731-2-2B · Turbofan · 3500
Seats5
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal2
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind320° @ 7 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:30
Weather SourceWFAC