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NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 20, 1983 · Gates Learjet 35A · N780A

Massena, NY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 20, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 8 uninjured
Location
Massena, NY
Aircraft
Gates Learjet 35A
Tail Number
N780A
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC83FA249

PASSENGERS DESCRIBED TOUCHDOWN AS FAST & LONG WITH NO ENG NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH REVERSE THRUST IMMEDIATELY AFTER TOUCHDOWN. THE ACFT RAN OFF THE END OF THE RWY & THE NOSE GEAR SEPARATED. ACCORDING TO THE CREW THE PLT INITIATED THE THRUST REVERSERS AFTER TOUCHDOWN, HOWEVER, THE PINS DID NOT REMOVE & THE THRUST LEVERS WERE RESTORED. AS BRAKING WAS EMPLOYED, THE THRUST REVERSERS WERE RE-INITIATED. THE PINS REMOVED & FULL REVERSE WAS APPLIED. BY THIS TIME THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT RWY REMAINING TO INITIATE A GO-AROUND. THE SQUAT SWITCH RELAY PANEL PREVENTS OPERATION OF THE THRUST REVERSER SYSTEM UNTIL THE SQUAT SWITCHES ARE IN THE GROUND MODE. THE GROUND SPOILERS WERE NOT DEPLOYED.

Full Narrative

PASSENGERS DESCRIBED TOUCHDOWN AS FAST & LONG WITH NO ENG NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH REVERSE THRUST IMMEDIATELY AFTER TOUCHDOWN. THE ACFT RAN OFF THE END OF THE RWY & THE NOSE GEAR SEPARATED. ACCORDING TO THE CREW THE PLT INITIATED THE THRUST REVERSERS AFTER TOUCHDOWN, HOWEVER, THE PINS DID NOT REMOVE & THE THRUST LEVERS WERE RESTORED. AS BRAKING WAS EMPLOYED, THE THRUST REVERSERS WERE RE-INITIATED. THE PINS REMOVED & FULL REVERSE WAS APPLIED. BY THIS TIME THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT RWY REMAINING TO INITIATE A GO-AROUND. THE SQUAT SWITCH RELAY PANEL PREVENTS OPERATION OF THE THRUST REVERSER SYSTEM UNTIL THE SQUAT SWITCHES ARE IN THE GROUND MODE. THE GROUND SPOILERS WERE NOT DEPLOYED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 EDT
Nearest AirportRichards Field (0nm N)
Runway5
Runway Length5001 ft
Runway Width120 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGates Learjet 35A
Tail NumberN780A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsGarrett · TFE-731-2-2B · Turbojet · 3500
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 8 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured8
Total9
Crew 1Age 53 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 7 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data