Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CEN09CA175

Kansas City, MO, USA

Aircraft #1

N465NW

GATES LEARJET CORP. 35A

Analysis

The copilot, who was the flying pilot, inadvertently lined up to land on the wrong runway. When approximately one mile from the runway, the copilot decided to change the flight path to line up with the correct runway. The pilot-in-command (PIC) reported that when the copilot rolled out on final approach, the airplane drifted to the right of the runway centerline. The copilot began to correct the alignment; however, the airplane continued to drift right. At 10 feet above the runway, the PIC instructed the co-pilot to perform a go-around. The PIC stated that the right wing dropped and the right main tires settled on the runway during the go-around. The copilot reported that the turn onto final approach was normal and that the airplane drifted slightly right of centerline when they crossed the airport boundary. The copilot reported that the winds were gusting out of the east (left side) during the landing. The tower informed the flight crew that there was a white mist coming from their right tip tank. Upon inspection the flight crew noticed fuel leaking from the right wing tip tank. The airplane remained in the traffic pattern and then completed an uneventful landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the outboard portion of the right wing. Local winds reported 11 minutes prior to the accident were from 150 degrees at 6 knots, and 49 minutes after the accident the local winds were reported as being from 160 degrees at 5 knots.

Factual Information

The co-pilot, who was the flying pilot, inadvertently lined up to land on the wrong runway. When approximately one mile from the runway, the co-pilot decided to change the flight path to line up with the correct runway. The pilot-in-command (PIC) reported that when the co-pilot rolled out on final approach, the airplane drifted to the right of the runway centerline. The co-pilot began to correct the alignment, however, the airplane continued to drift right. At 10 feet above the runway, the PIC instructed the co-pilot to perform a go-around. The PIC stated that the right wing dropped and the right main tires settled on the runway during the go-around which was continued. The co-pilot reported the turn onto final approach was normal and the airplane drifted slightly right of centerline when they crossed the airport boundary. The co-pilot reported the winds were gusting out of the east (left side) during the landing. The tower informed the flight crew that there was a white mist coming from their right tip tank. Upon inspection the flight crew noticed fuel leaking from the right wing tip tank. The airplane remained in the traffic pattern and an uneventful landing ensued. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the outboard portion of the right wing. Local winds reported 11 minutes prior to the accident were from 150 degrees at 6 knots, and 49 minutes after the accident the local winds were reported as being from 160 degrees at 5 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The copilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the go-around. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew's delayed decision to perform a go-around.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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