Accident Overview
On June 7, 2012, about 1224 mountain daylight time, a Learjet 60, registration N500SW, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain and obstructions during landing at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE), Aspen, Colorado. The two airline transport pilots and the six passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Performance Aircraft Leasing, Inc. under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane departed Opa-Locka Executive Airport (OPF), Miami, Florida, about 1020 eastern daylight time.
Approach and Landing Sequence
While on a left downwind for a visual approach to runway 15, the tower controller informed the flight crew about a Citation that had landed about 10 minutes prior and reported low-level wind shear with a 15-knot speed loss on short final. The crew acknowledged. During the arrival, the first officer was manipulating the controls from the left seat; the captain was in the right seat.
While on a left base, the first officer used spoilers and maneuvered the airplane in an "S-turn" on final to correct for a too steep approach. Close to touchdown, with airspeed decreasing and responding to captain's calls for "power," the first officer advanced power slightly. Airspeed continued to decrease and the captain called for a "go-around," but the first officer did not add power for a go-around, and the captain did not take control of the airplane. When the airplane was about 30 feet above ground level (agl), both pilots reported that the airplane suddenly "stopped flying" with a simultaneous slight left roll and an immediate impact with terrain.
Post-Impact and Evacuation
The airplane impacted to the right of and short of the runway threshold, damaged runway threshold lights, traveled diagonally across the runway, and exited the left side. It continued moving in the dirt on the left side of the runway and struck obstructions, completely separating the right main landing gear and the right flap and resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The airplane came to rest upright in the dirt on the right side of the runway about 4,000 feet from the initial impact point and about 400 feet east of the airport fire station. All eight occupants evacuated through the main cabin door. There was a substantial fuel spill but no postimpact fire. Aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) crews responded immediately and laid down a protective blanket of foam on the fuel spill.
Data Recordings
A postaccident download of data from the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) showed seven warning events had been recorded in the last three minutes before the accident. The first EGPWS warning was for "sink rate" and showed the airplane was in a 3,400 feet per minute descent at an altitude of about 1,317 feet agl. About 10 seconds before touchdown, another EGPWS warning for "bank angle" showed the airplane exceeded 42 degrees of bank at an altitude of about 200 feet agl and at a calibrated airspeed (CAS) of about 135 knots. The CAS continued to decrease and was about 127 knots just before touchdown.
Both pilots reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, and neither pilot had any doubt of the engines producing desired power.
Weather Conditions
At 1153 MDT, ASE reported wind from 020 degrees at 7 knots with gusts to 16 knots, wind direction variable between 350 degrees and 060 degrees, visibility of 10 miles or greater, sky clear, temperature 23 degrees Celsius, dew point -6 degrees Celsius, and altimeter setting 30.13 inches of Mercury.
At 1225 MDT, ASE reported wind from 270 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 18 knots, wind direction variable between 240 degrees and 300 degrees, visibility of 10 miles or greater, sky clear, temperature 24 degrees Celsius, dew point -10 degrees Celsius, and altimeter setting 30.13 inches of Mercury.