Pilot Debrief

LEARJET 25 near San Juan, PR — 2016-09-22

Final reportERA16LA323
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Date
2016-09-22
Location
San Juan, PR, USA
Airport
TJIG
Aircraft
LEARJET 25
Registration
YV1738
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper decision to land the airplane on a wet runway, in heavy rain, with tires worn beyond safe limits, which resulted in a hydroplaning condition and subsequent loss of directional control.

NTSB narrative

The airline transport pilot reported that rain was intensifying as the airplane approached the runway and that the runway appeared to be wet. After landing smoothly and while decelerating through 80-90 knots, the airplane hydroplaned and departed the left side of the runway. An 8-knot crosswind from the left prevailed. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest in the grass about 180° from the runway heading, which resulted in structural damage to the left main gear well. Postaccident examination of the main landing gear tires revealed that three tires had no measurable tread, and the fourth tire had only 1.17 mm of tread. The tire manufacturer stated that tires should be removed if tread wear reached the base of any groove. White skid marks were found on the runway, indicative of a hydroplaning condition. Witnesses reported heavy rain and standing water on the runway at the time of the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing due to wet runway conditions and tire tread wear.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • CVR
  • Photos
  • 14 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents14

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