No fatalities

2023-06-06: Dassault Falcon 10 (N87RT) — Premier LJ40 — Panama City-Northwest Florida Beach, United States of America

Panama City-Northwest Florida Beach, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On June 6, 2023, a Dassault Falcon 10 (registration N87RT) operated by Premier LJ40 was involved in an aviation accident near Panama City-Northwest Florida Beach, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight crew’s failure to appropriately configure the airplane for landing, which resulted in a failed attempt to utilize the thrust reversers during landing and the inability to stop the airplane using its brakes due to increased forward thrust. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781189297Data APIEditorial standards

A business jet overran a 10,000-ft runway after touching down 2,500 ft beyond the threshold. The pilot's failure to set thrust reverser stow switches led to ineffective braking and a collision with approach lighting stanchions.

Incident Overview

A business jet landed approximately 2,500 ft beyond the threshold of a 10,000-ft runway at its destination airport. The pilot deployed the flight spoilers and attempted to activate the thrust reversers, but the airplane did not decelerate as expected. A warning horn sounded. The pilots then applied normal braking followed by emergency braking, both of which were ineffective. The airplane overran the runway, struck several approach lighting stanchions, and came to rest after the landing gear collapsed.

Occupant and Damage Status

The airplane's occupants were uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence.

Post-Accident Findings

Following the accident, the captain realized he had forgotten to move the thrust reverser emergency stow switches to their normal operating position after completing a preflight check. The warning horn heard during landing was an indication of the stowed thrust reverser switches. The ineffective braking likely occurred because the engines produced increased thrust output due to the attempted application of the thrust reversers with the switches in the stowed position.

A postaccident examination of the wreckage confirmed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. The airplane checklist found in the cockpit was marked "For Training Purposes Only" and was for an airplane that was not equipped with thrust reversers.

Probable cause

The flight crew’s failure to appropriately configure the airplane for landing, which resulted in a failed attempt to utilize the thrust reversers during landing and the inability to stop the airplane using its brakes due to increased forward thrust. Contributing to the accident was the flight crew’s failure to utilize the appropriate checklist for the thrust reverser equipped airplane.