NTSB Factual Report

On February 14, 2001, about 0445 eastern standard time, a Learjet 35A, N394JP, owned by Plane 1 Leasing Co. Inc., landed hard at the Charlotte County Airport, Punta Gorda, Florida. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. An IFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 medical flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airline transport-rated pilot, commercial-rated co-pilot, and three passengers reported no injuries. The flight had departed from Miami International Airport, Florida, about 0430.

The airplane landed hard on runway 03, blew out the left main landing gear tires and traveled about 4,100 feet down the runway before coming to a stop. According to the pilot he radioed ATC that he had the airport and runway in sight. He followed the VOR radial and made an approach. At 800 feet he lost sight of the runway because of "light fog." He performed a missed approach and stayed in the pattern VFR. He performed a second approach visually and said he was distracted by the fog, but did not lose sight of the runway. He said the landing was hard, but did not realize he had a problem until the airplane started pulling to the left. When the airplane came to a stop he got everyone out because of a fuel leak.

The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) was sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Division for examination. The 30-minute recording was found to have no data that could contribute to determining the probable cause, and no transcript was prepared.

The reported visibility at the time of the accident was 0.25 sm mile with fog. The pilot called the Saint Petersburg flight service station about 2 hours after the accident to report same.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot misjudged the flare resulting in a hard landing, and impact with the runway. A factor in the accident was reduced visibility because of ground fog.