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

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

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Many incidents occurred during instrument flight or in adverse weather, including approaches, where pilots encountered challenges such as navigation errors, loss of contact, or attempting VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
Several accidents involved critical engine failures or loss of power, leading to forced landings or crashes shortly after takeoff or during flight.
Other accidents highlighted loss of control during various flight phases, including ground operations, aerobatics, and aborted landings, some resulting from inadequate judgment or situational awareness.

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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.