Event CHI99LA078

Factual narrative

On January 28, 1999, at 2318 central standard time, a Gates Learjet 35, N130F, operated by an airline transport pilot as U. S. Check flight 251, sustained substantial damage when during landing, the airplane's right wing struck the runway. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The on-demand air taxi flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 135. An IFR flight plan was on file. The first pilot and second pilot reported no injuries. The cross-country flight originated at Columbus, Ohio, at 2329 eastern standard time, and was en route to Chicago, Illinois. In his written statement, the pilot-in-command said that Chicago Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) had cleared the airplane for the visual approach to runway 4R at Chicago Midway Airport, Chicago, Illinois. The second pilot was flying the airplane. The pilot-in-command said they turned onto an approximate 4 mile final from the end of the runway. The second pilot descended on the localizer and glideslope. The approach was stabilized about three miles out from the end of the runway. The pilot-in-command said that he called out to the second pilot, as they were crossing the runway threshold, "Ref (landing approach speed), three green, cleared to land." The pilot-in-command said, "the AOA (angle of attack) indication was normal. [The] descent rate was normal." The pilot-in-command said that the airplane was approximately 3 feet above the runway surface when he called out "Ref minus 10 [knots indicated airspeed]. Just as I spoke I felt a slight increase in sink [rate], followed immediately by a violent roll to the right. The right tip tank struck the runway surface." In his written statement, the second pilot said that at approximately one mile from the end of the runway, the airplane was stabilized at "Vref" (landing approach speed) of 122 knots, and on the glide slope and localizer inbound course. "We crossed the threshold [of the runway], and about 1 to 1 and 1/2 seconds later, I pulled the thrust levers to idle [power]. Just before touchdown, at about Vref minus 5 knots, the plane rolled hard to the right. I immediately put in left correction and pushed the thrust levers forward. An instant later, we hit on the right side, and then the main wheels touched down. I then pulled the thrust levers back to idle." Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the airplane at Chicago Midway Airport. The airplane's right wing, approximately 18 inches inboard of the tip tank was bent upward approximately 10 degrees. A 2 inch deep, chordwise-running grove was observed in the top wing skin running from the leading edge aft to the outboard edge of the right aileron. Heavy wrinkling in the upper wing skin was observed approximately 18 inches either side of the grove. The bottom wing skin, in the vicinity of the bend also showed skin wrinkling. The outboard edge of the right aileron was bent upward slightly. The right tip tank showed a laterally-running, inward dent and fracture, located in the bottom, center skin. Longitudinally running metal scrapes were also observed along the bottom, center line of the tip tank. The airplane's flight control system was examined. The examination revealed complete continuity and no anomalies. Examination of the engines, engine's controls, and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies. The Gates Learjet 35/36 Aircrew Flight Manual Landing Approach Speed Vref table for an airplane with the Century III wing and FC-200 autopilot showed for a 13,975 pound airplane, an approach speed of 123 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS). The Gates Learjet 35/36 Aircrew Flight Manual Stall Speeds table for an airplane with the Century III wing and FC-200 autopilot incorporating the "Softflite" kit, configured with landing gear down and the flaps at 40 degrees, showed for a 13,975 pound airplane, a stall speed of 95 KIAS. The second pilot turned onto a 4 mile final from the end of the runway. The second pilot said at one mile from the end of the runway, the airplane was stabilized on the glide slope and localizer inbound course, at a landing approach speed of 122 knots. Crossing the runway threshold, the pilot-in-command called out to the second pilot, 'Ref (landing approach speed), three green, cleared to land.' Approximately 3 feet above the runway surface, the pilot-in- command called out 'Ref minus 10 [knots indicated airspeed]. As he spoke, the pilot-in- command said he felt a slight increase in sink [rate], followed immediately by a violent roll to the right. The right tip tank struck the runway surface. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12