NTSB Reports April 2014: Recent general aviation and air carrier accidents

Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Multiple incidents involved aircraft operating in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) or under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), frequently leading to fatal accidents, loss of control during approaches, or collisions with terrain/obstructions.
Several accidents stemmed from engine power loss or mechanical failures during critical flight phases like takeoff or descent, resulting in forced landings, uncontrolled descents, and substantial aircraft damage.
Other reported incidents included a ground crew injury during engine start, an in-flight breakup due to an attempted maneuver, and loss of control during an aborted landing or post-takeoff climb.

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February 2, 2014, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Gates Learjet Corp. 35A
At about 2230 Eastern time, the airplane was involved in a ground crew injury during engine start and taxi in preparation for a Part 135 medical transport flight. The pilot, co-pilot and two cabin crewmembers were not injured, and the airplane was not damaged, but a ground crewman sustained serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed.

After completing engine start, the co-pilot gave the “disconnect ground power” hand signal to the lineman. The lineman moved to the left and rear of the airplane to disconnect the power unit. After placing the airplane’s two generators on line, the pilot looked outside to find the airplane was rolling forward at idle power. The pilot stopped the airplane and set its parking brake. After the cabin crew verified the lineman was standing next to the ground power unit, the pilot began a right turn to taxi. At this point, the co-pilot notified the pilot that the lineman was down, with the ground support equipment lying on top of him.