Event
On November 29, 2022, about 1910 central standard time, a Learjet 45 airplane, registration N988MC, was substantially damaged when it overran the runway at Batesville Regional Airport (BVX), Batesville, Arkansas. The two pilots sustained minor injuries; the six passengers were not injured. The flight was operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight.
Flight History
ADS-B data showed the airplane departed Waterloo Regional Airport (ACO), Waterloo, Iowa, about 1757 on an IFR flight plan, climbing to cruise at flight level 410 en route to BVX. During the arrival, flown by the captain, ATC cleared the flight for the RNAV (GPS) Runway 8 approach.
According to the cockpit voice recorder, at 19:08:28, after visually acquiring the runway environment, the copilot cancelled the IFR flight plan. At 19:08:54, the captain disconnected the autopilot as the airplane crossed the final approach fix at 265 knots groundspeed. At 19:09:12, the captain said “my goodness, slow down” and later called for flaps 20 and landing gear extension. At 19:10:08, the captain said “disregard this,” followed by a sound similar to spoiler handle movement and a single chime consistent with a master caution alert triggered when a SPOILERS EXT caution message posts on EICAS. The flight manual prohibits extending spoilers with flaps extended while airborne except in emergencies. At 19:10:23, the copilot said “still really fast”; the captain responded “yeah.” At 19:10:24, the MINIMUMS callout sounded.
The airplane crossed the runway threshold at 185 knots groundspeed/180 knots airspeed. The calculated Vref was 123 knots based on a weight of 19,200 lbs. The crew did not complete the before-landing checklist; flaps remained at 20° instead of 40°. Landing distance was not discussed.
Landing and Overrun
The airplane touched down near the midfield point of the 6,022 ft wet, asphalt runway. Ground-based ADS-B indicated groundspeed about 160 knots; onboard data showed 155 knots. Shortly after touchdown, the copilot said “you’re gonna need to…that’s the end of the runway.” Tire marks consistent with intermittent braking started about 3,021 ft from the runway end, then continuous anti-skid braking from about 2,069 ft to the end. The airplane exited the runway above 100 knots groundspeed, continued into a ditch and the airport perimeter fence, causing substantial damage to the forward fuselage.
Crew Reports
The captain reported touching down fast and hydroplaning. He applied intermittent then heavy braking. He did not recall flap position or whether the before-landing checklist was completed. He did not deploy or consider deploying thrust reversers; onboard data confirmed no deployment. The copilot reported informing the captain the approach was high and fast. He lost sight of the departure end due to overcast clouds at 1,000 ft above ground level. He thought the airplane could stop but brake effectiveness seemed poor. He did not recall flap position or thrust reverser use.
Aircraft Examination
Examination found no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The spoilers were deployed matching the cockpit handle; the flap handle was at 20°, matching the left and right flap surfaces. Normal landing flap position is 40°.
Stabilized Approach Guidance
The operator’s flight operations manual required stabilized approaches: aircraft in approved landing configuration, proper approach speed, and on flight path before descending below specified minimum heights (500 ft HAA for visual approaches). The Flight Safety Foundation and Air Charter Safety Foundation recommend a maximum airspeed of Vref +20 knots at those heights and an immediate go-around if exceeded. The accident airplane crossed the threshold more than 50 knots above Vref with flaps at 20° instead of 40°.
Investigation
The investigation calculated that the actual landing distance for a stabilized approach under conditions of 19,200 lbs landing weight, field elevation 463 ft, temperature 18°C, flaps 40°, 3 knot tailwind, stowed thrust reversers, and wet runway would have been 4,845 ft.