Gulfstream new flagship crashes on test flight - Four dead

Gulfstream Aerospace confirmed today that a Gulfstream G650 crashed Saturday morning during takeoff-performance tests in Roswell, in New Mexico, USA. Two Gulfstream pilots and two Gulfstream flight-test engineers died in the crash.
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“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who were lost,” said Joe Lombardo, president, Gulfstream Aerospace.

The accident is under investigation by Gulfstream, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford said the plane went down shortly after taking off from Roswell International Air Center. The G650's landing gear collapsed, Lunsford said, and the plane burst into flames.

 

The luxury jet was one of five in flight-test  mode. Savannah-based Gulfstream has more than 200 firm orders for the G650, which carries a price tag of $64.5 million and when certificated will be the fastest civil aircraft in the world. It has already achieved the high speeds and the first G650 was expected to be delivered in 2012.

 

“We are cooperating 100 percent with the investigation,” Lombardo said.

 

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