National Transportation Safety Board Printed on : 1/3/2011 5:56:56 PM

Washington, DC 20594

Brief of Accident

Adopted 01/24/2005

NYC04LA062
File No. 17213 01/30/2004 Akron, OH Aircraft Reg No. N39WA Time (Local): 12:35 EST

Make/Model: Gates Learjet / 35A Fatal Serious Minor/None

Engine Make/Model: Garrett / TFE-731-2-2B Crew 0 0 2
Aircraft Damage: Substantial Pass 0 0 0
Number of Engines: 2
Operating Certificate(s): On-demand Air Taxi
Type of Flight Operation: Positioning
Reg. Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation

Last Depart. Point: TOLEDO, OH Condition of Light: Day

Destination: Same as Accident/Incident Location Weather Info Src: Weather Observation Facility
Airport Proximity: On Airport/Airstrip Basic Weather: Visual Conditions
Airport Name: AKRON-CANTON REGIONAL Lowest Ceiling: 3400 Ft. AGL, Overcast
Runway Identification: NA Visibility: 9.00 SM
Runway Length/Width (Ft): Unk/Nr Wind Dir/Speed: 270 / 015 Kts
Runway Surface: Temperature (°C): -12
Runway Surface Condition: Precip/Obscuration:

Pilot-in-Command Age: 44 Flight Time (Hours)

Certificate(s)/Rating(s) Total All Aircraft: 4600

Airline Transport; Multi-engine Land Last 90 Days: Unk/Nr
Total Make/Model: 2455
Instrument Ratings Total Instrument Time: 992
Airplane

After landing, the pilot taxied from the runway to the ramp area. After making a turn onto the ramp, the airplane began to slide on top
of an ice layer. The brakes were ineffective and the co-pilot shut down the engines; however, due to the downward slope of the ramp area
and the wind conditions, the airplane continued to accelerate. The airplane struck a concrete retaining wall, before it came to rest.
Examination of the ramp area revealed that it was covered with a 1-inch thick layer of smooth clear ice. The operator of the ramp said
that other airplanes had taxied into and out of the ramp without problem prior to, and after the accident. However, sand had been applied
to the ramp for the other aircraft, but not the accident airplane. In addition, the winds were lighter at the time the other aircraft
were taxiing. The weather at the time of the accident included: wind from 270 degrees at 15 knots, and a temperature of 11 degrees F.
 Brief of Accident (Continued)

NYC04LA062
File No. 17213 01/30/2004 Akron, OH Aircraft Reg No. N39WA Time (Local): 12:35 EST

Occurrence #1: LOSS OF CONTROL - ON GROUND/WATER

Phase of Operation: TAXI

Findings
1. (C) AIRPORT FACILITIES,RAMP FACILITIES - NOT MAINTAINED
2. (C) TERRAIN CONDITION - ICY
3. (F) TERRAIN CONDITION - DOWNHILL
4. (F) WEATHER CONDITION - HIGH WIND
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Occurrence #2: ON GROUND/WATER COLLISION WITH OBJECT

Phase of Operation: TAXI

Findings
5. OBJECT - WALL/BARRICADE

Findings Legend: (C) = Cause, (F) = Factor

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The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows.
An improperly maintained ramp area, which resulted in a loss of airplane control while taxiing on ice. Factors in this accident were,
high winds, and the down-sloping ramp.