N979RFGates Learjet 35A · 1981

The flight crew reported that during a civilian positioning flight to pick up a medical patient, they were cleared to land via a visual approach at night. During the base segment in the traffic pattern, the first officer, who was the pilot flying, lost sight of the runway and transferred the flight controls to the captain at an altitude of about 900 ft mean sea level. The first officer stated that after the exchange of the flight controls, the “aircraft was on short final and passed over the threshold at an angle.” Subsequently, during the captain’s landing flare and touchdown, the stick shaker activated, and the left wing dropped and impacted the runway. The captain completed the landing roll, stopped the airplane on the runway, and all of the occupants exited without incident. The impact with the runway resulted in substantial damage to the left wing. The flight crew did not report any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

On February 2, 2014, about 2230 eastern standard time, a Gates Learjet Corporation L35A, N979RF, sustained minor damage while taxiing in preparation for a flight at Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL), Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The pilot, copilot, and two additional crewmembers were not injured. A lineman sustained serious injuries. The airplane was owned and operated JEDAMI Air, LLC, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135, as a medical transport flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that was destined for Owen Roberts International Airport (MWCR), Cayman Islands.

According to the pilot, he occupied the left seat and the copilot occupied the right seat. The copilot was at the controls of the airplane. During engine start, the copilot observed one of the two linemen depart the ramp area, leaving one lineman remaining to assist the airplane with ground operations. After completion of the engine start, the copilot gave the disconnect ground power hand signal to the lineman. The lineman moved to the left and rear of the airplane to disconnect the ground power unit (GPU). The pilot monitored the airplane's voltmeter to verify disconnect by observing a drop in the voltage current. After placing the airplane's two generators on line, the pilot looked up and outside to find that the airplane was rolling forward at idle power. The pilot applied the brakes and set the parking brake. After about 5 minutes, the flight crew still did not have visual contact with the lineman; however, the additional crewmembers seated in the cabin observed the lineman standing next to the GPU. The pilot took controls of the airplane and began a right turn to taxi in the ramp area. The copilot glanced out of the right cockpit window and notified the pilot that the lineman was lying on the ground. The pilot stopped the airplane and shut down the engines. When the occupants exited the airplane, they observed that the GPU was lying on top of the lineman, and were able to move lift it off of him.

According to a statement provided to police, the lineman gave the pilot the "HOLD" signal and proceeded to the GPU that was still connected to the airplane. The lineman stated that as he attempted to disconnect the GPU from the airplane, the airplane began moving forward, pulling the GPU over, and knocking him down to the ground. The GPU came to rest on his right leg.

Examination of the airplane did revealed minor damage to the GPU connector points and to the airplane skin. The lineman was transported to the hospital for further treatment.

According to the manager of the operator, normal ground servicing operations were conducted utilizing either one or two lineman depending on availability.

In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report Form, the operator noted that an observed drop in voltage confirmed that the GPU was no longer supplying power to the airplane; however, it would not confirm that the GPU cable had been disconnected.