Undetermined · NTSB ERA14MA271

GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE G IV — Bedford, MA

7 fatal High-time pilotNight

Date	June 1, 2014
Location	Bedford, MA
Aircraft	GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE G IV
Purpose of flight	Executive/Corporate
Conditions	Night · Visual Meteorological Cond
Phase / occurrence	Prior to flight Preflight or dispatch event
Pilot age	45
Pilot total time	11,270 hrs · High time
Time in type	1,645 hrs
Fatalities	7

Probable cause

The flight crewmembers' failure to perform the flight control check before takeoff, their attempt to take off with the gust lock system engaged, and their delayed execution of a rejected takeoff after they became aware that the controls were locked. Contributing to the accident were the flight crew's habitual noncompliance with checklists, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation's failure to ensure that the G-IV gust lock/throttle lever interlock system would prevent an attempted takeoff with the gust lock engaged, and the Federal Aviation Administration's failure to detect this inadequacy during the G-IV's certification.

NTSB findings

Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Flight control system-Gust lock or damper-Incorrect use/operation
Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Forgotten action/omission-Flight crew
Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of checklist-Flight crew
Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Attain/maintain not possible
Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Flight crew
Personnel issues-Psychological-Personality/attitude-Complacency-Flight crew
Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Flight crew
Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Runway/taxi/approach light-Contributed to outcome
Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tower/antenna (incl guy wires)-Contributed to outcome
Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Emergency services personnel
Organizational issues-Management-Policy/procedure-Adequacy of policy/proc-Emergency services
Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Flight control system-Gust lock or damper-Design
Organizational issues-Development-Selection/certification/testing-Equip certification/testing-Manufacturer
Organizational issues-Support/oversight/monitoring-Oversight-Oversight of reg compliance-FAA/Regulator

What happened

The Safety Board's full report is available at http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/AccidentReports.aspx. The Aircraft Accident Report number is NTSB/AAR-15/03.

On May 31, 2014, about 2140 eastern daylight time, a Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation G-IV, N121JM, registered to SK Travel, LLC, and operated by Arizin Ventures, LLC, crashed after it overran the end of runway 11 during a rejected takeoff at Laurence G. Hanscom Field, Bedford, Massachusetts. The airplane rolled through the paved overrun area and across a grassy area, collided with approach lights and a localizer antenna, passed through the airport's perimeter fence, and came to a stop in a ravine. The two pilots, a flight attendant, and four passengers died. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a postcrash fire. The corporate flight, which was destined for Atlantic City International Airport, Atlantic City, New Jersey, was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.

View the official NTSB docket →