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NTSB Report
May 12, 1982 · Gates Learjet 24B · N721J
Ft. Myer, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
May 12, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Ft. Myer, FL
Aircraft
Gates Learjet 24B
Tail Number
N721J
Operator
Delaware Victor Air Service
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
DCA82IA021
WHILE CLIMBING TO A CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 41000 FEET, THE PILOT ENGAGED THE AUTOPILOT AT APPROXIMATELY 29500 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO PITCH NOSE DOWN SEVERAL SECONDS LATER. THE PITCH TRIM SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF AND THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS PULLED. THE PILOTS WERE AIDED BY A PASSENGER AND USED ALL THEIR STRENGTH TO PULL BACK ON THE CONTROL WHEEL TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT FROM CONTINUING TO PITCH NOSEDOWN. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED SAFELY. EXAMINATION OF AUTO- PILOT REVEALED THAT AN OVERVOLTAGE CONDITION EXISTED THAT WAS DRIVING THE STAB TRIM ACTUATOR TO THE AIRPLANE NOSE DOWN POSITION. IN ADDITION, THIS CAUSED THE AUTOPILOT EFFORT INDICATOR TO SHOW A MAXIMUM NOSE DOWN DEFLECTION. ACCORDING TO THE COPILOT'S STATEMENT, THE EFFORT INDICATOR WAS AT MAXIMUM DEFLECTION DURING THE PRE-TAKEOFF CHECK.
Full Narrative
WHILE CLIMBING TO A CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 41000 FEET, THE PILOT ENGAGED THE AUTOPILOT AT APPROXIMATELY 29500 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO PITCH NOSE DOWN SEVERAL SECONDS LATER. THE PITCH TRIM SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF AND THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS PULLED. THE PILOTS WERE AIDED BY A PASSENGER AND USED ALL THEIR STRENGTH TO PULL BACK ON THE CONTROL WHEEL TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT FROM CONTINUING TO PITCH NOSEDOWN. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED SAFELY. EXAMINATION OF AUTO- PILOT REVEALED THAT AN OVERVOLTAGE CONDITION EXISTED THAT WAS DRIVING THE STAB TRIM ACTUATOR TO THE AIRPLANE NOSE DOWN POSITION. IN ADDITION, THIS CAUSED THE AUTOPILOT EFFORT INDICATOR TO SHOW A MAXIMUM NOSE DOWN DEFLECTION. ACCORDING TO THE COPILOT'S STATEMENT, THE EFFORT INDICATOR WAS AT MAXIMUM DEFLECTION DURING THE PRE-TAKEOFF CHECK.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time18:54 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftGates Learjet 24B
Tail NumberN721J
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorDelaware Victor Air Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsGen.Electric · GE610-4 · Turbojet · 2850
Seats8
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5° @ 1 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 0 C
Altimeter0