N12FN

On November 30, 2022, about 0735 eastern standard time, a Lear Jet 36, N12FN, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF), Newport News, Virginia. The PIC, SIC, and another flight crew member were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 public use flight.

According to the PIC, the preflight inspection, engine start-up, and taxi were “normal.” During the takeoff roll, he heard “one boom” and one second later called V1, which is the maximum speed at which a rejected takeoff could be initiated in the event of an emergency. At the same time he called “V1,” the PIC heard a second “boom” and the SIC, who was the pilot flying, called to abort the takeoff. The PIC reported to air traffic control that they were aborting the takeoff with a suspected blown tire. They attempted to slow the airplane, but the there was no braking action. The crew elected to deploy the drag parachute, but the airplane continued off the end of the runway, traveling through the runway end lights, and into the grass. After the airplane came to rest, about 300 ft off the departure end of the runway, the crew egressed without injury.

A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing sustained substantial damage in the accident sequence. In addition, the drag parachute had separated from the airplane and was located on the runway. Pieces of the left main landing gear brake assembly were located along the runway and embedded in the left wing. Sections of the left main landing gear tires were also located along the runway. Examination of the hydraulic reservoir revealed that the reservoir was empty and a section of the hydraulic line in the left wing was ruptured.

A review of the Learjet 36A Airplane Flight Manual, “Aborted Takeoff” checklist read as follows:

1. Thrust Levers – IDLE

2. Wheel Brakes - Apply

3. Spoilers - EXT

4. Drag Chute or Thrust Reversers (if installed) - Deploy, if necessary

The airplane maintenance manual stated a special inspection of the drag chute needed to be performed after certain conditions. “A special inspection also is required if deployment was made above 150 KIAS, or if jettison or failure occurred above 100 KIAS.”

Furthermore, the drag chute should be functionally tested every 6 months to check the release mechanism, then inspected and repacked. In addition, there was a required 12,000-hour inspection to “inspect the drag chute mechanism for proper operation, security, and general condition.” According to the operator, the most recent 6-month inspection was complied with on October 26, 2022, and the 12,000 hour requirement was complied with March 20, 2012.

According to the operator’s operations manager, the airplane’s tire pressures should have been checked at least every 7 days. Review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed that the tire pressures were last checked on November 8, 2022, and at that time the tires were at the proper pressure. When the tire pressures were checked on November 15, 2022, the left inboard tire was low (90 PSI). Air was added to the tire and the airplane was returned to service. The tire pressures were not documented between November 15, 2022, and the accident flight.

The operator provided a statement from a mechanic that the tire pressures were checked on November 29, 2022, and “the pressure was within limits set forth” by the manufacturer. In addition, no maintenance entry was made since no corrective action was needed.

The airplane’s maintenance manual recommended that the tire pressures be checked before the first flight of every day. The tire pressure for the main landing gear tires should be between 157 psig (pounds per square inch gauge) and 167 psig when the airplane is not jacked. Furthermore, it stated that “Tire pressures are affected by temperature. Tire pressures must be measured when the tires are at ambient temperature. An ambient temperature change of 5°F will change the tire pressure by 1%. Temperature/pressure changes must be kept in mind particularly when the aircraft is parked in a hot hangar and is rolled onto a cold runway.”