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Crash of a Learjet 75 in Morristown

Date & Time: Apr 2, 2022 at 1119 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N877W
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Atlanta – Morristown
MSN:
45-496
YOM:
2014
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8834
Captain / Total hours on type:
1599.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
9582
Copilot / Total hours on type:
5146
Aircraft flight hours:
3290
Circumstances:
The flight crew of the jet obtained weather information for the destination airport, which indicated quartering tailwind conditions for the runway in use at the time, with wind at 3 knots gusting to 16 knots. The crew determined the wind to be within limitations. The cockpit voice recorder transcript and airport surveillance video indicated that the landing approach was normal. The captain, who was the pilot flying, stated that, after touchdown, the thrust reversers were deployed and the airplane turned “sharply to the right.” He reported that remedial control inputs were ineffective in maintaining directional control. Airport surveillance video footage of the landing roll and accident sequence showed that, about 9 seconds into the landing roll, the airplane turned sharply to its right. The airplane departed the runway, its left wingtip struck the ground, the entire wing structure (left wing/right wing/wingbox) separated from the airplane as one assembly, and the fuselage continued a short distance before it came to rest upright. The thrust reversers on each engine were deployed and their extended positions were about equal. A windsock could be seen in the surveillance video footage nearly parallel to the ground, indicating nearly a direct crosswind to the landing runway that would have been towards the airplane’s right side. Recorded wind shortly after the accident was consistent with a 90° right crosswind for the landing runway at 6 knots with gusts to 14 knots. A detailed examination of the airplane and system components revealed that all flight control, steering, and braking systems and their actuator components operated as designed. Although the copilot's yaw force sensor did not meet manufacturer acceptance testing during post accident examination, this would not have affected the directional controllability of the airplane. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilot’s compensation for the crosswind conditions was inadequate, which resulted in a loss of directional control and runway excursion.
Probable cause:
The captain’s inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
Final Report:

Crash of a Socata TBM-700 in Morristown: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 20, 2011 at 1005 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N731CA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Teterboro - Atlanta
MSN:
332
YOM:
2005
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total flying hours:
1400
Aircraft flight hours:
702
Circumstances:
Although the pilot filed an instrument flight rules flight plan through the Direct User Access Terminal System (DUATS), no evidence of a weather briefing was found. The flight departed in visual meteorological conditions and entered instrument meteorological conditions while climbing through 12,800 feet. The air traffic controller advised the pilot of moderate rime icing from 15,000 feet through 17,000 feet, with light rime ice at 14,000 feet. The controller asked the pilot to advise him if the icing worsened, and the pilot responded that he would let them know and that it was no problem for him. The controller informed the pilot that he was coordinating for a higher altitude. The pilot confirmed that, while at 16,800 feet, "…light icing has been present for a little while and a higher altitude would be great." About 15 seconds later, the pilot stated that he was getting a little rattle and requested a higher altitude as soon as possible. About 25 seconds after that, the flight was cleared to flight level 200, and the pilot acknowledged. About one minute later, the airplane reached a peak altitude of 17,800 feet before turning sharply to the left and entering a descent. While descending through 17,400 feet, the pilot stated, "and N731CA's declaring…" No subsequent transmissions were received from the flight. The airplane impacted the paved surfaces and a wooded median on an interstate highway. A postaccident fire resulted. The outboard section of the right wing and several sections of the empennage, including the horizontal stabilizer, elevator, and rudder, were found about 1/4 mile southwest of the fuselage, in a residential area. Witnesses reported seeing pieces of the airplane separating during flight and the airplane in a rapid descent. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the outboard section of the right wing separated in flight, at a relatively low altitude, and then struck and severed portions of the empennage. There was no evidence of a preexisting mechanical anomaly that would have precluded normal operation of the airframe or engine. An examination of weather information revealed that numerous pilots reported icing conditions in the general area before and after the accident. At least three flight crews considered the icing "severe." Although severe icing was not forecasted, an Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET) advisory included moderate icing at altitudes at which the accident pilot was flying. The pilot operating handbook warned that the airplane was not certificated for flight in severe icing conditions and that, if encountered, the pilot must exit severe icing immediately by changing altitude or routing. Although the pilot was coordinating for a higher altitude with the air traffic controller at the time of the icing encounter, it is likely that he either did not know the severity of the icing or he was reluctant to exercise his command authority in order to immediately exit the icing conditions.
Probable cause:
The airplane’s encounter with unforecasted severe icing conditions that were characterized by high ice accretion rates and the pilot's failure to use his command authority to depart the icing conditions in an expeditious manner, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
Final Report:

Crash of a Learjet 35A in Morristown: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1988 at 0740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N442NE
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Allentown - Morristown
MSN:
35-442
YOM:
1981
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
4810
Captain / Total hours on type:
2100.00
Aircraft flight hours:
4274
Circumstances:
The crew was positioning the aircraft in preparation for a revenue flight and executing a non-directional beacon (NDB) approach to runway 05. The captain reported that the copilot was flying the aircraft. However, the captain stated that he took control of the aircraft during the approach and made some control corrections before returning control of the aircraft to the copilot. Radar data indicated that aircraft control was erratic throughout the approach and that the airspeed and descent rates were high (3,000 fpm sink rate) shortly before the accident. The aircraft struck a fence short of the runway and impacted the ground. The captain said he realized the aircraft was drifting left of course but did not correct it. He said he told the copilot to add power twice during the approach. The copilot's training history indicated difficulty in control, scan of instruments, and with instrument procedures. Company management described the captain as passive and the copilot as aggressive. Supervision of training and operations by management and surveillance of the company by the FAA was considered inadequate by NTSB.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Findings
1. (c) flight controls - improper use of - copilot/second pilot
2. Overconfidence in personal ability - copilot/second pilot
3. (f) inadequate recurrent training - copilot/second pilot
4. (f) inadequate surveillance of operation - faa (organization)
5. (f) airspeed - improper - copilot/second pilot
6. (f) proper descent rate - exceeded - copilot/second pilot
7. (c) supervision - inadequate - pilot in command
8. (f) interpersonal relations - pilot in command
9. Insufficient standards/requirements,airman - company/operator mgmt
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S in Morristown

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1971 at 1843 LT
Registration:
N9128N
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Islip – Morristown
MSN:
500-3093
YOM:
1971
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2811
Captain / Total hours on type:
28.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Morristown Airport by night, the pilot encountered limited visibility. While completing the landing checklist, the airplane lost height and struck tree tops. The pilot increased engine power to make a go-around when the airplane lost height and crashed. Both occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the diverted attention of the pilot from operation. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions,
- High obstructions,
- Fog,
- Diverted attention while completing the landing checklist, lost contact with runway.
Final Report:

Crash of a Junkers-Larsen JL-6 in Morristown: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 1, 1920
Operator:
Registration:
305
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Hazlehurst – Cleveland
YOM:
1920
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a mail flight from Hazlehurst to Cleveland. En route, the aircraft caught fire, went out of control and crashed near Morristown. Both crew members, the pilot Max Miller and the mechanic Gustav Heierson were killed.