The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0934 Mountain time when it impacted terrain during takeoff. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot, co-pilot and two technical crewmembers were fatally injured. The airplane was operating as an experimental during certification flight tests and was performing a takeoff with a simulated engine failure to determine take-off distance requirements at minimum flap setting. Wingtip scrape marks beginning approximately 5300 feet from the end of the runway led toward the final resting spot about 3800 feet from the first marks on the runway. Witnesses saw the airplane sliding on the ground with sparks and smoke coming from the bottom of the wing, and described the airplane being fully involved in fire while still moving across the ground. The airplane struck several obstructions and came to rest upright about 200 feet from the base of the airport control tower. Several airport rescue and firefighting units responded quickly and fought the fire.
April 2, 2011, Roswell, N.M., Gulfstream G-VI
The airplane was substantially damaged at about 0934 Mountain time when it impacted terrain during takeoff. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot, co-pilot and two technical crewmembers were fatally injured. The airplane was operating as an experimental during certification flight tests and was performing a takeoff with a simulated engine failure to determine take-off distance requirements at minimum flap setting.
Key Takeaways:
- An experimental airplane, performing certification flight tests involving a simulated engine failure takeoff, crashed and was substantially damaged, resulting in the fatal injury of all four crewmembers.
- The aircraft left extensive wingtip scrape marks on the runway, slid on the ground engulfed in fire, struck several obstructions, and came to rest upright near the airport control tower.
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