Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Landing Area Undershoot: Gulfstream IV, N505GF; accident occurred March 09, 2019 at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (KPDK), Atlanta, DeKalb County, Georgia









The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Atlanta, Georgia

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 


Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N505GF

Location: Chamblee, GA
Accident Number: ERA19TA122
Date & Time: 03/09/2019, 1547 EST
Registration: N505GF
Aircraft: Gulfstream GIV
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Landing area undershoot
Injuries: 14 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Executive/Corporate 

On March 9, 2019, at 1547 eastern standard time, a Gulfstream G-IV, N505GF, was substantially damaged during landing at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) Chamblee, Georgia. The two airline transport pilots and 12 passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Waffle House Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a corporate flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), Bozeman, Montana, about 1236.

The crew reported that the enroute portion of the flight was normal. Upon arrival into the Atlanta area, air traffic control advised them runway 34 at PDK, which was 3,967-ft-long, was in use and runway 21L/ 3R, which was 6,001-ft-long, was closed until 1600, which was about 20 minutes from then. The crew requested to hold until the longer runway opened, but shortly thereafter after determining they had the landing performance, advised that they would be able to land on runway 34. The pilot reported that the approach to landing was normal, but during the landing flare, he felt an "unusually hard impact." The landing roll and taxi to the ramp were uneventful.

During a hard landing inspection, substantial damage was found to the fuselage. The flight crew did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The pilot flying reported that this was his first landing on runway 34 at PDK

Photographs provided by the airport manager revealed that two tire tracks commenced in the grass about 18 ft prior to the runway 34 threshold, and lose dirt and grass were observed around the threshold.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records, the pilot flying held an airline transport pilot certificate and was issued a first-class medical certificate in January 2019. He reported a total flight time of 4,920 hours, of which 125 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. The second pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate and was issued a first-class medical certificate in May 2018. He reported a total flight time of 8,139 flight hours, of which 972 hours were in the accident airplane make and model.

According to FAA airworthiness records, the airplane was powered by two turbo-fan Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8 engines. The most recent continuous airworthiness inspection was completed in February 2019.

At 1553, the reported weather at PDK included 6 statute miles visibility, haze, a broken cloud layer at 3,700 ft above ground level, variable wind at 4 knots, temperature 17°C, dew point 12°C, and barometric pressure of 30.01 inches of mercury. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 46, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 01/07/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 01/24/2019
Flight Time:   4920 hours (Total, all aircraft), 125 hours (Total, this make and model), 2800 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 36 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 10 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 47, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane; Helicopter
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/24/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 05/10/2018
Flight Time:  8139 hours (Total, all aircraft), 972 hours (Total, this make and model), 5789 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 46 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3.4 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Gulfstream
Registration: N505GF
Model/Series: GIV UNDESIGNATED
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1995
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 1275
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 16
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/20/2019, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 75000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Turbo Fan
Airframe Total Time: 14406.3 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Rolls-Royce
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: TAY 611-8
Registered Owner: WH Air Inc.
Rated Power: 13850 lbs
Operator: Waffle House Inc.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPDK, 998 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1553 EST
Direction from Accident Site: 332°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  6 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 3700 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Light and Variable /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: Variable
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.01 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 12°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: Moderate - Haze; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Bozeman, MT (BZN)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Chamblee, GA (PDK)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 1036 MST
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Dekalb-Peachtree (PDK)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 998 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 34
IFR Approach: Visual
Runway Length/Width: 3967 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Straight-in

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:2 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 12 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 14 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.872778, -84.300556 (est)

Location: Chamblee, GA
Accident Number: ERA19TA122
Date & Time: 03/09/2019, 1547 EST
Registration: N505GF
Aircraft: Gulfstream GIV
Injuries: 14 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Executive/Corporate 

On March 9, 2019, at 1547 eastern standard time, a Gulfstream G-IV, N505GF, was substantially damaged during landing at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) Chamblee, Georgia. The two airline transport pilots and 12 passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Waffle House Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a corporate flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) Bozeman, Montana, about 1236.

The crew reported that after a normal en route flight, upon arrival into the Atlanta area, air traffic control advised them runway 34, which was 3,967-ft-long was in use, and runway 21L/ 3R, which was 6,001-ft-long was closed until 1600, which was about 20 minutes from then. The crew requested to hold until the longer runway opened, but shortly thereafter, they advised that they would be able to land on runway 34. The pilot reported that the approach to landing was normal, but during the landing flare, he felt an "unusually hard impact." The landing roll and taxi to the ramp were uneventful. During a hard landing inspection, substantial damage was found to the fuselage. The crew did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.

Photographs provided by the airport manager revealed that two tire tracks commenced in the grass about 5-10 ft prior to the runway 34 threshold, and lose dirt and grass was observed around the threshold.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records, the pilot flying held an airline transport pilot certificate and was issued a first-class medical certificate in January 2019. He reported a total flight time of 4,920 hours, with 125 hours in the accident make and model airplane. The second pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate and was issued a first-class medical certificate in May 2018. He reported a total flight time of 8,139 flight hours, with 972 hours in the accident make and model airplane.

According to FAA airworthiness records, the airplane was powered by two turbo-fan Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8 engines. The most recent continuous airworthiness inspection was completed in February 2019.

At 1553, the reported weather at PDK included 6 statute miles visibility, haze, a broken cloud layer at 3,700 ft above ground level, variable wind at 4 knots, temperature 17°C, dew point 12°C, and barometric pressure of 30.01 inches of mercury. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Gulfstream
Registration: N505GF
Model/Series: GIV UNDESIGNATED
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Waffle House Inc.
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPDK, 998 ft msl
Observation Time: 1553 EST
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 12°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Light and Variable / , Variable
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 3700 ft agl
Visibility:  6 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.01 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Bozeman, MT (BZN)
Destination: Chamblee, GA (PDK)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 12 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 14 None
Latitude, Longitude: 33.872778, -84.300556 (est)

10 comments:

  1. What was that crew thinking using 16-34. That's a 3967' non-precision runway with no touchdown observation lighting. And they did this at night. I've never seen a large jet use that runway for landing even in daylight in 20+ years of flying out of there and hanging out on the observation deck. They always use the 6001' 3-21.

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    Replies
    1. ^^Me too. Been flying out of there and visiting the observation deck since 1992 although now I fly out of RYY. Makes no sense. I know the "book" said they'd get it in there, but the "book" never allows for floating and other variables like last second wind changes. Just too tight for what I'd have done. Especially with 12 souls behind me trusting me with their lives.

      Runway 3/21 ops is always fun to watch from the deck. The last time I ever saw a Navy T-2 Buckeye flying was from that runway some time in the late 1990s using 34. They used up all that runway being fuel loaded for XC and honestly I thought I was going to see a crash as they barely climbed out. I also miss the former runway 9/27 that was removed for hangars on the west side.

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    2. Maybe there was pressure from the cabin, like the CEO, to land..

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  2. Agree on the runway selection, not a good choice. But, 20:43Z is not night.

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  3. It's going to take a lot of waffle sales to cover this ... Think I will head over to the local WH and help them out.

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    Replies
    1. Looks like insurance paid off and they got another G-IV. I guess this one was damaged beyond repair.

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    2. Serial # 1995 at https://www.aircraft.com/aircraft/1152756/n-1995-gulfstream-givsp

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    3. serial # 1275 https://www.aircraft.com/aircraft/1152756/n-1995-gulfstream-givsp

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  4. Pilot said it felt like landing with an arresting cable, so perhaps he was ex-Navy and used to (very) short runways!

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  5. serial # 1275 @ https://www.aircraft.com/aircraft/1152756/n-1995-gulfstream-givsp

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