FAA Grounds All Learjet Model 45 Business Jets

The Washington Post ^ | 081203 | Don Phillips

[Archangelsk]

FAA Grounds All Learjet Model 45 Business Jets

By Don Phillips
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 12, 2003; 4:50 PM

The Federal Aviation Administration ordered the immediate grounding of all 222 Learjet Model 45 business jets after discovering that a part in the tail section can fail abruptly, possibly leading to a loss of control of the airplane.

The grounding is a blow to Learjet owner Bombardier of Montreal, whose stock was already undergoing a pounding in recent months. It was also a blow to Bombardier subsidiary Flexjets, one of three major competitors to Warren Buffett's business jet fractional ownership company, Netjets. Flexjets has 30 Learjet-45s out of a fleet of 105 aircraft while Netjets has none in its 396-jet fleet.

An FAA airworthiness directive, to be printed in tomorrow's Federal Register, said the agency has found that a screw-and-nut assembly in the control mechanism of the horizontal stabilizer, which helps control up and down movements, can fracture suddenly and can cause the plane to dive out of control.

The agency has been investigating the assembly since March when a Learjet-45 experienced a severe vibration and sudden nose-down pitch. The crew controlled the airplane, and the FAA on April 11 ordered that the screw-and-nut assembly be replaced with a newer model. However, the FAA order said the agency has now discovered that the newer assembly, although an improvement, is also prone to brittle fractures.

[Archangelsk]

It doesn't make much sense that Bombardier stock is taking a pounding when their order books for the CRJ-700 and 900 series regional jet are full.

[org.whodat]

Now just how do they expect me to get to work tomorrow?

[Archangelsk]

Take the Citation instead.

[Archangelsk]

Oh, and nobody likes an educated burro.

[baltodog]

OUCH.
I live in Wichita and all I can say is, "OUCH."
I believe (although I may be wrong) that the tail sections (vertical stabilizer and elevator) are made in Japan.
Anyone else know anything aboout this?

[Archangelsk]

Problem is that an American subcontractor (MPS Products Corp.) is supplying the bolts for the assembly.

Double ouch.

[kylaka]

Check out Eclipse Avation and you'll understand why the small business jet market is about to be revolutionized.

Just to give you a quick glimpse, in 12 months Eclipse should complete FAA certification and begin production initally, of a six passenger jet, at about 1/6th the cost of your average Lear or Citation. Cost projections per passenger mile, versus the airlines, will make air taxi service, (similar to auto taxi service) possible. Business jets, as we know them today, will probably fade away.

[Archangelsk]

You are overly optimistic. I just saw Eclipse at Oshkosh and with the change out of the engines, we may see certification by 2006.

[Archangelsk]

Besides, their booth had all the look and feel of a Microsoft booth at COMDEX. Not a good thing for aviation. :-)

[JETDRVR]

Yep that "up down" control thing can be a real bear sometimes:) "Bomb"ardier is going to suck wind on this one big time.

[kylaka]

That "microsoft" look may be because Paul Allen has kicked in a few hundred million, and the founder of Eclipse is an ex-microsoft employee. You may be right about my over optomistic view, but they do have an interesting product.

[Archangelsk]

Eh, the AD will be posted tomorrow. We'll see how much it's going to cost the owner/operators.

[Archangelsk]

but they do have an interesting product.

Interesting, yes, but for now I'd put my money on a Cessna Mustang.

[avg_freeper]

You might want to check out the recent news about Eclipse Aviation. They've had a number of big setbacks in their engine design.

[Archangelsk]

Gunga galunga. Gunga, gunga galunga

Big hitter that Dali Lama.

[JETDRVR]

True , thats exactly what ole Dicky Santuli figured (EJA) thats how come he dont got none of them....Fear or Near jets!

[6AL-4V]

FAA grounds a fleet of jets that have a possible control problem, nobody hurt. FAA allows a fleet of jets to stay in service after an incident that killed all aboard, Alaska Airlines.

[Bob J]

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[JETDRVR]

That accident happened because Alaskan Airlines maint was not lubricating the jackscrews in the the tail assembly. I agree with you that the FAA( We are not happy unless your NOT HAPPY) couldnt find its derrier with both hands! Other then that the MD-80 series A/C is a great bird. The crew on the Alaskan flight should be honored. Ive heard the entire CVR tape , they fought the problem like pros right until the end. Tragic

[Archangelsk]

For those who are interested, the NTSB report: http://amelia.db.erau.edu/reports/ntsb/aar/AAR02-01.pdf