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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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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October 22, 2003 · Learjet 45 · N420FX

Denver, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Incident
Date
October 22, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Denver, CO
Aircraft
Learjet 45
Tail Number
N420FX
Operator
Vestar Capital Partners
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
DEN04IA014

The airplane was descending through 13,000 feet when the captain extended both spoilers as speed brakes to reduce the airplane's speed. The left spoiler came up and the right spoiler barely moved, causing the airplane to roll to the left. The pilots saw the amber-colored "Spoiler Fail CAS" light illuminate. The captain retracted the spoilers, rolled the airplane back to a level attitude, and began running the appropriate emergency checklist. The captain continued the descent and landed uneventfully. An examination of the airplane showed high internal resistance in the left and right spoilers' actuator coils. No other anomalies were found.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the airplane's spoiler system when used as speed brakes due to high resistances in the spoilers' actuator coils.

Full Narrative

On October 22, 2003, at 1730 mountain daylight time, a Learjet 45, N420FX, owned by Bombardier Aerospace Flexjet and operated by Vestar Capital Partners, experienced an uncontrolled spoiler roll event during descent through 13,000 feet mean sea level, while en route to the Denver International Airport (DEN), Denver, Colorado. The flight crew regained control of the airplane, and made an uneventful landing at DEN. The airline transport pilot certificated captain, airline transport pilot certificated first officer, and 2 passengers on board the airplane were not injured. The personal domestic business flight was being conducted on an instrument flight rules flight plan from Teterburo, New Jersey, to DEN under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the incident. The company reported that as the crew was descending through 13,000 feet, the captain extended both spoilers as speed brakes to reduce the airplane's speed. The left spoiler came up and the right spoiler barely moved, causing the airplane to roll to the left. The company also reported the pilots saw the amber-colored "Spoiler Fail CAS" light illuminate. The captain retracted the spoilers, rolled the airplane back to a level attitude, and began running the appropriate emergency checklist. The captain continued the descent and landed at DEN uneventfully. The left and right spoiler actuators (part number 6627602001-003) were ground tested at DEN. The tests showed high internal resistance in the actuator coils. The actuators were removed and retained for further examination. Later testing at the manufacturer in Wichita, Kansas, confirmed this finding.

Flight

Event TypeIncident
Event Time17:30 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLearjet 45
Tail NumberN420FX
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorVestar Capital Partners
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsHoneywell · TFE-731-20AR · Turbofan · 3650 | Honeywell · TFE-731-20AR · Turbofan · 3650
Seats11

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 30 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data