History of the Flight
On 21 August 2007, at 0230 hours local time, a Learjet 35A aircraft, registration RP-C5354, operated by Pacific East Asia Cargo Airlines, Inc., arrived at Singapore Seletar Airport from Medan, Indonesia. The flight was a non-scheduled revenue medivac operation with five passengers and two crew members. The pilot-in-command (PIC) occupied the right-hand seat as pilot-not-flying (PNF), while another pilot sat in the left-hand seat as pilot-flying (PF).
During the approach to Seletar, the aircraft was initially cleared for Runway 21 but was too high, prompting a request to fly overhead for a circuit. The air traffic controller offered Runway 03, which the crew accepted. While maneuvering for Runway 03, the crew again assessed they were too high and conducted a missed approach.
On the subsequent approach to Runway 03, the PF flared the aircraft early, causing it to float. The PIC instructed the PF to land immediately. The aircraft touched down beyond the normal touchdown zone. After touchdown, the PF applied full manual braking but did not deploy the spoilers; the spoiler switch was found in the off position post-accident. The PIC stated the crew was preoccupied with stopping the aircraft using manual brakes.
As the aircraft approached the runway end, the crew decided to veer left onto the grass, aware of a water channel beyond the runway. The aircraft came to a stop at the intersection of Runway 03 and Taxiway W1.
Injuries and Damage
All five passengers and both crew members evacuated safely; no injuries were reported. The aircraft sustained damage to the nose gear, nose gear doors, radome, nose lower structure, pilots' windshield, and wrinkled deformation of the nose, forward, and aft fuselage. Cracks appeared on the ventral fin and vertical stabilizer. The nose wheel broke from its axle after leaving the paved surface, likely when it struck an electrical box on the grass verge. Two runway edge lights and the electrical box were also damaged.
Crew Information
The PF, aged 41, held a Philippine Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) with a B737-200 rating and a Temporary Airman Certificate issued from 24 July to 31 August 2007 to build time for a Learjet 35A rating. He had 4444.92 total flying hours, 39.85 on type. The Temporary Airman Certificate did not permit him to act as a pilot-in-command or co-pilot, nor to operate revenue flights, and required supervision by a Learjet 35A-rated instructor. The PF was unaware of these restrictions, and the PIC was unaware that the PF held only a Temporary Airman Certificate.
The PIC, aged 58, held an ATPL validated by a US FAA Temporary Airman Certificate, with a Learjet 35A rating obtained on 26 July 2007. He had 8790.75 total hours, 43.23 on type. He did not have a flight instructor rating and was not exercising an instructor role. The operator stated both pilots were authorized to fly together on international or regional routes. The Philippine ATO clarified that the aircraft was registered under the General Aviation category and was not intended for revenue flights.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft had a valid Certificate of Airworthiness. The Philippine ATO noted that General Aviation category aircraft were not subject to regular oversight audits.