Crash investigators say rushed test programme led to G650 accident
Crash investigators looking into the fatal accident involving the Gulfstream G650 during the flight test programme, has said the “aggressive” push to certification may have contributed to the event.
The US’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the crash was the result of an aerodynamic stall on the right wing of the plane causing an uncommanded roll with only one of the two jet engines operating. Two pilots and two flight engineers on board were killed in the April 2011 crash.
“In this investigation we saw an aggressive test flight schedule and pressure to get the aircraft certified,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. “Deadlines are essential motivators, but safety must always trump schedule.”
The NTSB safety experts said performance issues during previous test flights were not properly evaluated prior to the G650 jet taking off with a stimulated engine failure.
The G650 was fully certified in August..
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