LJ35, Lyon France, 2000
LJ35, Lyon France, 2000
Summary
On 2 May 2000, the crew of a LJ35 lost control of the aircraft, as a result of incorrect manual flying inputs, and crashed just before touchdown at Lyon, following an unstable single engine approach.
Event Details
When
02/05/2000
Day/Night
Day
Flight Conditions
On Ground - Normal Visibility
Flight Details
Aircraft
Operator
Type of Flight
Public Transport (Passenger)
Flight Origin
Intended Destination
Actual Destination
Take-off Commenced
Yes
Flight Airborne
Yes
Flight Completed
No
Phase of Flight
Landing
Location
Location - Airport
Airport
General
Tag(s)
Approach not stabilised
FIRE
Tag(s)
Post Crash Fire
HF
Tag(s)
Ineffective Monitoring,
Manual Handling,
Procedural non compliance,
Inappropriate crew response (technical fault)
LOC
Tag(s)
Loss of Engine Power,
Flight Management Error,
Aircraft Flight Path Control Error,
Extreme Bank,
Incorrect Thrust Computed
EPR
Tag(s)
Emergency Descent,
MAYDAY declaration,
RFFS Procedures
AW
System(s)
Engine - General
Contributor(s)
Component Fault in service
Outcome
Damage or injury
Yes
Aircraft damage
Hull loss
Non-aircraft damage
No
Non-occupant Casualties
No
Occupant Injuries
Many occupants
Occupant Fatalities
Many occupants
Off Airport Landing
No
Ditching
No
Causal Factor Group(s)
Group(s)
Aircraft Operation
Safety Recommendation(s)
Group(s)
None Made
Investigation Type
Type
Independent
Description
On 2 May 2000, the crew of a GATES LEARJET Learjet 35 lost control of the aircraft, as a result of incorrect manual flying inputs, and crashed just before touchdown at Lyon, following an unstable single engine approach.
Synopsis
The following is extracted from the official report into the incident published by the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses (BEA):
Summary:
"The Learjet 35A registered G-MURI was undertaking a flight between Farnborough and Nice. While in cruise at FL 390, it suffered a failure on the left engine. The crew decided to divert to Lyon-Satolas airport. The aircraft was guided on final approach to runway 36L by the ILS. On short final, when just over the runway threshold, the aircraft banked sharply to the left, the wing touched the ground and it crashed and caught fire.."
Conclusions:
- "…While the aircraft was in cruise, the rupture of the No.5 bearing led to the failure of the left engine.
- The left engine was shut down, the crew declared a Mayday and undertook a descent followed by an approach on one engine.
- The approach, including its final phase, was never stabilised.
- Just before the runway threshold, a significant increase in thrust was commanded on the right engine.
- The aircraft banked sharply to the left and touched the ground with its left wing before crashing and catching fire."
Probable Cause:
"The accident resulted from a loss of yaw and then roll control which appears to be due to a failure to monitor flight symmetry at the time of the thrust increase on the right engine.
The hastiness exhibited by the Captain, and his difficulty in coping with the stress following the engine failure, contributed to this situation."
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Further Reading
For further information see the full Report published by the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses (BEA).
