Learjet 55
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 75; Flight Crew Total 3900; Flight Crew Type 650
Workload; Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Distraction
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Aircraft; Weather; Procedure
We had planned an IFR flight. Planning showed that we had enough fuel to complete the trip and that weather would be at least basic VFR for our ETA. Given the weather forecast we anticipated that we would do the visual approach. On arrival the ATIS advertised 900 feet broken and 6 miles visibility. This was lower than forecast. The only option for an IFR approach was the NDB since we are not authorized as per our operation specs to do RNAV approaches. We went missed from the NDB because we never broke out from minimums. We began the approach with about 1;000 LBS of fuel. During the missed our low fuel light illuminated and we became concerned that there was less fuel than indicated. At this point we declared 'minimum fuel'. After that we asked for vectors to a nearby airport. We asked for vectors to ILS 31L since it was the shortest possible option.Lessons to be learned:1) A fuel stop should have been made on the way.2) Once the lower than anticipated weather was received on ATIS as well as realizing the limited IFR approach options then we should have diverted to a nearby large airport rather than attempting an approach at our destination.3) The other airport would have been a more suitable option to have selected initially.
I was clear for the NDB approach to Runway. While the aircraft has a GNS-XLs with GPS; the data base is not current and the company is presently not authorized to conduct GPS approaches. When I was being vectored to the ILS 13R; I started to get low fuel warning light intermittently. Feeling that I might have less fuel than indicated; I declared 'minimum fuel' and indicated that I needed to land on Runway 31L. Approach vectored me to the ILS 31L approach and I landed. On the ramp the fuel gauges were indicating just under 800 pounds.What to do different? While the flight was within the capabilities of the aircraft and the weather was forecast to be above minimums for the approach; due to the tight and busy airspace; I should have planned a fuel stop.
An LJ55 crew flight anticipated VFR arrival weather but actually encountered IMC and flew an ADF approach. After missing the approach; a low fuel state indicated in immediately divert to a nearby airport where they landed with 800 pounds.