Date & Time:
Dec 14, 1994 at 1146 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 35
Operator:
Registration:
N521PA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fresno - Fresno
MSN:
35-239
YOM:
1979
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
2
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
2
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total hours on type:
2747
Aircraft flight hours:
6673
Aircraft flight cycles:
5254
Circumstances:
At about 1146 pst, Learjet 35A, N521PA, operating as a public use aircraft, crashed in Fresno, CA. Operating with call sign Dart 21, the flightcrew had declared an emergency inbound to Fresno Air Terminal due to engine fire indications. They flew the airplane toward a right base for their requested runway, but the airplane continued past the airport. The flightcrew was heard on tower frequency attempting to diagnose the emergency conditions and control the airplane until it crashed, with landing gear down, on an avenue in fresno. Both pilots were fatally injured. Twenty-one persons on the ground were injured, and 12 apartment units in 2 buildings were destroyed or substantially damaged by impact or fire. Investigation revealed that special mission wiring was not installed properly, leading to a lack of overload current protection. The in-flight fire most likely originated with a short of the special mission power supply wires in an area unprotected by current limiters. The fire resulted in false engine fire warning indications to the pilots that led them to a shutdown of the left engine. An intense fire burned through the aft engine support beam, damaging the airplane structure and systems in the aft fuselage and may have precluded a successful emergency landing.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the following factors:
- Improperly installed electrical wiring for special mission operations that led to an in-flight fire that caused airplane systems and structural damage and subsequent airplane control difficulties,
- Improper maintenance and inspection procedures followed by the operator,
- Inadequate oversight and approval of the maintenance and inspection practice by the operator in the installation of the special mission systems.
- Improperly installed electrical wiring for special mission operations that led to an in-flight fire that caused airplane systems and structural damage and subsequent airplane control difficulties,
- Improper maintenance and inspection procedures followed by the operator,
- Inadequate oversight and approval of the maintenance and inspection practice by the operator in the installation of the special mission systems.
Final Report:
N521PA.pdf4.41 MB
