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June 26, 2018 · Learjet 60 NO Series · N57

Salt Lake City, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 26, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Salt Lake City, UT
Aircraft
Learjet 60 NO Series (1994)
Tail Number
N57
Operator
Federal Aviation Administration
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC18LA049

The pilots reported that, while taxiing to the runway for departure, the nose wheel steering seemed unusually sensitive and the airplane pulled slightly to the right. As they neared the runway threshold, they smelled what they thought to be overheated brakes. The crew confirmed the position of the parking brake handle, which had not been fully stowed, and once the handle was completely stowed (parking brake OFF position), the airplane moved more freely. The crew then cancelled their takeoff clearance and taxied the airplane to the runup area to allow the brakes to cool. Shortly thereafter, the control tower notified the flight crew that the airplane was on fire. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the underside of the fuselage and right wing due to fire that originated at the right main landing gear. A detailed examination of the airplane’s brake system revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the cockpit voice recorder information confirmed that the crew did not completely release the parking brake before taxi.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight crew’s failure to fully disengage the parking brake before taxi, which resulted in a brake fire.

Full Narrative

On June 26, 2018, about 0850 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Bombardier Learjet 60 airplane, N57Z, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at Salt Lake City International Airport (KSLC), Salt Lake City, Utah. The two pilots and one technician were uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 flight. The mission-specific modified airplane was registered to and operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and was used to perform flight inspections of the National Airspace navigational systems. The captain was the pilot flying at the time of the accident. According to the flight crew, while taxiing to the runway for departure, the nose wheel steering seemed unusually sensitive and the airplane pulled slightly to the right. As they neared the runway threshold, they smelled what they thought was overheated brakes. The crew confirmed the position of the parking brake handle and the airplane moved more freely. The crew then cancelled their takeoff clearance and taxied the airplane to the runup area to allow the brakes to cool. Shortly thereafter, the control tower notified the crew that the airplane was on fire. The crew secured and then evacuated the airplane. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) recorded the captain’s and first officer’s comments and revealed that, as the airplane taxied, both pilots felt that the airplane’s movement was jerky and they could hear a squealing noise that was not audible on the CVR. The captain indicated that the airplane wanted to pull to the right and that it seemed like more power was required to taxi. The first officer indicated that it felt like the captain was "riding" the brakes. Shortly thereafter, the captain realized the parking brake was not completely released. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that the right tire and landing gear were fire-damaged, and that the underside of the fuselage and right wing was substantially damaged due to the fire. A detailed examination of the airplane’s brake system revealed no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The parking brake handle was located on the pedestal below the thrust levers and labeled PARKING BRAKE. The parking brake was operated by depressing and holding the toe brakes and pulling the parking brake handle to set the brakes. The parking brake was released by returning the handle to the off, or in, position. Whenever the parking brake handle was not fully in, the PARK BRAKE light would illuminate. A review of the Lear 60 Single Card Checklist, Revision 1, dated June 4, 2017, revealed that the Before Taxi, Taxi and Before Takeoff, Quick Turnaround, and Taxi checklists did not contain a line item for the release of the parking brake.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:50 MDT
Nearest AirportSalt Lake City Intl (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftLearjet 60 NO Series
Tail NumberN57
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFederal Aviation Administration
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W Canada · PW305A · Turbofan · 0 | P&W Canada · PW305A · Turbofan · 0
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 60 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 57 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time15:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data