The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a scathing accident investigation report this past Tuesday, March 6, 2010 blaming the crash of a Bombardier Learjet Model 60 (N999LJ), on underinflated tires, poor maintenance, and pilot error. The September 19, 2008 accident badly burned Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and the late celebrity deejay Adam Goldstein, known as DJ AM. It also killed pilot Sarah Lemmon, 31, first officer James Bland, 52, Barker's assistant, Chris Baker, 29, whom he had nicknamed "Little Chris", and Charles "Che" Still, 25, Barker's security guard.
CAPTIONS: (ABOVE LEFT) Learjet crash in Columbia, SC on September 19, 2008 (AP Photo); (BELOW RIGHT) Travis Barker with DJ AM at the T-Mobile Block Party in Columbia, SC on September 19th, 2008, the show before the plane crash (Photo from Wikipedia/Creative Common/David Guirl); (BELOW LEFT) Bombardier Learjet 60 climbs away from London Luton Airport, England, February 2007 (Photo by Adrian Pingstone/Public Domain); (BELOW RIGHT) Adam Goldstein, DJ AM in December 2008 (Photo from Wikipedia Commons/Alan Barry/Public Domain)
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Goldstein would later commit suicide in August 2009 by taking an overdose of the pain medication Oxycodone. Friends claimed that he had never fully recovered from his injuries. He had also dated pop-personality Nicole Richie and singer Mandy Moore, and was a partner in the LAX nightclub at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas.
The aircraft, operated by Global Exec Aviation, was taking off from runway 11 at Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) in South Carolina, headed for Van Nuys, CA. According to NTSB spokesperson Peter Knudson, "The investigation revealed that prior to the accident the aircraft was operated while the main landing gear tires were severely underinflated because of Global Exec Aviation’s
inadequate maintenance. The underinflation compromised the integrity of the tires, which led to the failure of all four of the
airplane’s main landing gear tires during the takeoff roll."
As in most aircraft accidents, this one was caused by multiple events. The poorly maintained tires was a leading factor in a fatal chain that included a decision by the captain, who was flying the aircraft, to attempt to abort the takeoff, against the advice of the first officer. The Learjet was about 1.5 seconds beyond the maximum speed at which the takeoff attempt could be safely aborted.
According to the NTSB findings, "While the captain was trying to stop the airplane by commanding reverse thrust, forward thrust was being provided at near-takeoff power because the thrust reversers were stowed. The Safety Board determined that the inadvertent forward thrust contributed to the severity of the accident." Complete details of the accident report is available on the NTSB website.
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Comments
Wow Joel, great info on a mystery that I think a lot of Barker and AM's fans would want to know. DJ AM was an awesome artist as well as person, having grabbed Barker to jump as the plane was crashing before putting the fire out on Barker. Its sad that months later, AM passed away from an od after already giving death the finger. DJ AM was a good dude, maybe alittle off track, but without his quick thinking, the crash would have easily have been one with no survivors.
As a retired pilot I find it incredible that operators would allow such shoddy maintenance on a great airplane, and with tragic results.
I have often told my fellow pilots that most accidents begin before the pilot even enters the cockpit, and this is a great example of that saying.
Sad, the loss of life, and a beautiful airplane.
John (JetAviator7)
Entrepreneur and Internet Publisher
All-Things-Aviation.com/blog
What a tragedy and avoidable.
Nothing seems like it was right with that plane. Glad there were survivors.
Thanks for this informative article.
What a horrible disaster. Thanks for reporting - I didn't hear about this.
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