Pilot: We're Running Out of Runway

Air Safety Week, Dec 8, 2008

A pilot can be heard on a cockpit voice recordings warning air traffic controllers that his Learjet 60 was "going off the end" of the runway, the last words captured before the private jet crashed, killing four people. "Roll the equipment, we're going off the end," co-pilot James Bland says on the recordings.

Meanwhile, a lawsuit has been filed by former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker stemming from the September 19 crash at Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Columbia, SC.

Claiming the chartered business jet was improperly maintained and operated, Barker seeks damages for pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of earnings, and medical and legal expenses,

The suit names Global Exec Aviation, Clay Lacy Aviation, Inter Travel, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, and Bombardier as defendants. The lawsuit also alleges that the pilots were poorly trained, deciding to abort the takeoff versus taking off.

NTSB investigators say the tires on the Learjet 60 (M999LJ) shredded as the plane attempted to take off. The crash killed two members of rock musician Barker's entourage, the pilot and the first officer. Barker and disc jockey Adam Goldstein survived the fatal accident.

The chartered business jet was taking off when it suffered a "high-speed overrun" from Runway 11. According to witnesses, the beginning of the takeoff roll appeared normal, then sparks were observed as the airplane traveled along the runway. Just after the V1 speed callout, at about 136 knots, the crew reacted to a sound consistent with a tire failure, however they were unable to stop the airplane before exiting the runway.

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