Factual Record Also Scrutinizes Pilot's Qualifications

Weight and a lack of sufficient training may have been factors in the February 2 runway overrun by a Bombardier Challenger CL-600 at Teterboro Airport, according to documents released by the NTSB.

As was reported in Aero-News, the bizjet overran the departure end of a runway at Teterboro, after attempting to abort takeoff. The jet plowed into a fence at the end of airport property, and crossed a city street before ending up against a warehouse. No one was killed in the incident, although the pilot, copilot, and two people in cars struck by the jet were seriously injured.

While the documents contain no analysis of the events surrounding the accident -- the NTSB investigation is ongoing -- the forms do contain factual information on the incident, including transcripts of the cockpit voice recorder. Interviews with the pilot, copilot and others involved in the incident are also available.

According to Newsday, the documents indicate the agency is focusing on the weight of the aircraft at the time it attempted to takeoff. Pilot John Kimberling said in an April 28 interview with the NTSB he had estimated the total weight of the aircraft, fuel, the eight passengers and three crewmembers onboard, and their luggage to be 40,400 to 40,600 lbs. Maximum gross weight for the CL-600 involved in the accident is 41,440, according to the magazine.

The factual report-- which should soon be available on the NTSB website -- show Kimberling was questioned rigorously by the NTSB regarding the weight issue, including his method of calculating passenger weight. Kimberling stated to the agency his passengers were mostly "small guys" so he rated them at the standard weight of 170 pounds, adding he would often allow more weight for larger passengers.

According to the NTSB documents, Kimberling stated all felt normal as he began his takeoff run, with no warning lights displayed. However, when he attempted to pull back on the yoke he said there was no response.

"I was coming up on an intersection and I started to pull back and it wouldn't pull back," Kimberling said. "I yelled 'abort, abort' and I'm flying through the intersection."

Both eyewitness accounts and conversations with the pilots indicate the aircraft never left the runway.

While the NTSB also scrutinizes Kimberling's qualifications in the documents, the reports also show he was well-regarded among his coworkers. Co-pilot Carlos Salaverria rated him a '10' on a 10 point scale, for example. Kimberling also maintained he had adequate training on the CL-600 series of aircraft.

While the NTSB continues its investigation, the FAA is also seeking civil penalties to the tune of $1.8 million against the jet's operator, the now-defunct Platinum Jet Management. The agency accuses Platinum of operating "the aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another," according to Newsday.

Platinum Jet has also been cited with violating numerous regulations, including altering weight records on the charter flight and not properly training its flight crew. A definitive ruling may be difficult to come by, however, as the company ceased operations in March.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.ntsb.gov