Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On February 2, 2012, at 1912 mountain standard time, a Gates Learjet 35, N31WS, experienced a runway excursion during takeoff from Pueblo Memorial Airport (PUB), Pueblo, Colorado. The captain, the first officer and the eight passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The airplane was registered to and operated by Extrapoint LLC, Lewes, Delaware, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan destined for McCarran International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas, Nevada.

The flight crew planned a normal takeoff, with an allowance for wet runway conditions. The captain performed a preflight inspection of the airplane and found no discrepancies. He also confirmed that the Director of Maintenance (DOM) had checked tire pressure of the landing gear.
Before takeoff, reported weather conditions included a runway visual range of 5,000 feet with light snow. The wind was from 360 degrees at 15 knots. The captain estimated the snow depth on the taxiway as 1/8-inch thick. The captain chose to depart on runway 8L with a crosswind versus runway 35 because it was longer (10,498 feet). As they approached the hold-short line for runway 8L, the captain noted there was no snow on the wings. The control tower reported they had no current runway condition reports since there were no recent landings or departures. The captain said the snow on the runway seemed to be no heavier than what he observed on the taxiway, and he could see the end-stripes on the runway. After the pre-takeoff checklist items were completed, the airplane was taxied onto the runway centerline.

The captain reported the initial portion of the takeoff was routine. As the airplane accelerated toward V1, the captain felt a “lurch” to the right. He immediately applied full left rudder, full left aileron, and reduced power, but the airplane continued off the right side of the runway. He estimated the angle was about 10 degrees from the runway centerline. As the airplane left the runway, the captain heard a noise that sounded like a “shotgun blast” and saw a bright orange flash of light out the right side window.

The airplane traveled across several taxiways before coming to rest upright south of the runway on the grass. The captain confirmed there was no fire and secured the power levers; firewall shut off handles, and started evacuation procedures. The passengers safely exited the airplane thru the main door.

The first officer’s account of the accident was similar to the captain’s. He said that after receiving their take off clearance, the captain taxied the airplane on to the runway and lined up on the centerline. He then increased power and the airplane began to accelerate down the runway. The takeoff was normal and there “was nothing wrong” with the engines. The first officer said he was moni