Gulfstream G650 Crash - Roswell - 4 Dead

[JustAnObserver]

News reports are just coming in of G650 crash at Roswell International Airport during test flight. 4 Dead. 2 Pilots & 2 Flight Engineers.

4 dead in crash of small plane at NM airport

[HS125]

Seconded, a sad day.

They're not very good in any sense of the word but effectively the same write up with first pictures here:
Plane skids and catches fire in Roswell | Roswell N.M. | KRQE News 13

[leonard17F]

Just heard the news from SAV.....
Terrible.................
My saddest thoughts to the crew's families....

[Pugilistic Animus]

G-650 test airframe crash in NM

Gulfstream G650 crashes in New Mexico, leaving four people dead | savannahnow.com

not much else on this accident
I actually heard about this first in [I hate to say] Wiki

[GVFlyer]

Very sad, I'm waiting to learn names. Tragic. This is the first time a Gulfstream jet during development has even suffered major damage.

[MikeNYC]

Possibly SN 6002, N652GD. Condolences to all, a very sad day.

[elchinero]

G650 T2

T2 was my plane when I was a Gulfstream flight test (end of gig on 2010-12-31) ... Rolls-Royce BR725 engine "owner'. I will know all four on-board. DAMN!

My eyes just got wet ...

Tony T

[JustAnObserver]

Source for plane being G650

Here is an updated link to story from Washington Post quoting FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford.

FAA: 2 pilots, 2 flight test engineers killed in crash of small plane at Roswell airport - The Washington Post

[Jetstar2Pilot]

I'm very saddened with this. On Flightaware N602AB is enroute fm KSAV to KROW.

A Gulfstream owner just called me to confirm it was one of the test aircraft.

My sincere condolences to the families and to Gulfstream. They build such a stellar aircraft.

[Pugilistic Animus]

For such a high profile jet I'm shocked that there's so little news after so many hours....and I hate to say, perhaps there's a little intentional misleading due to the massive marketing investment Gulfstream has on this plane G4 G6 G450
however the Aviation Week's site detailed how hot and high testing was to be performed around April for the G-650; so I'm sure this is a 650 airframe---My sincerest condolences for the lost flight test crew in the line of duty

BCA Reviews The Gulfstream G650

[GLF5driver]

May God bless all.

It appears that the US FAA has now confirmed the accident aircraft was indeed a flight test Gulfstream 650. Our thoughts are with the crew member's families, and the whole of the Savannah community. God bless all.

[Jetstar2Pilot]

What a shame. It appears N652GD flew into KROW a week ago from Telluride. Obviously doing high altitude testing.

I'm very sad at this time.

[Pugilistic Animus]

for the type of clientele this this plane is marketed to this could be a huge blow...no matter what the outcome...obviously there's an information damage control campaign in effect at this time even the identification of the test airframe is suspect

I really hope this is not the end of the program-these clients do expect quite simply 100% safety and will not realized that the risks of experimental test flying are still here---truly a shame---very sad story, at all levels---and at this point Aviation Weeks is not what Gulfstream needs now

“We’ve been pretty successful up to this point with the G650. But I don’t want to say anything that might jinx something. A little talk goes a long way,” said Pres Henne, Gulfstream’s senior vice president, programs, engineering and test.

[elchinero]

<<For such a high profile jet I'm shocked that there's so little news after so many hours>>

One of my (ex)flight test associates (just) e-mailed to me that NO info re: this is going out of Hangars 9 & 10 via e-mail, www, and phone.

TT

[Mad (Flt) Scientist]

1. Condolences of course.

2. Roswell isn't really "high" - it's just under 4000ft. Which makes it a very useful place to test for 'normal' field performance, since you can extrapolate the results there to 10kft, which is a typical max TO altitude unless you do dedicated tests at La Paz or similar.

Its also useful for performance purposes due to the nature of the runway and the amount of local activity. Throw in typical decent weather and its no surprise many OEMs use Roswell for performance testing.

3. I'm not surprised Gulfstream have locked themselves down; with NTSb involved, anything that gets out might be deemed to have been "released" and NTSB jealously (and properly) protect their right to approve (or not) any data released regarding an accident under investigation.

[elchinero]

<<Which makes it a very useful place to test for 'normal' field performance, since you can extrapolate the results there to 10kft, which is a typical max TO altitude unless you do dedicated tests at La Paz or similar.

Its also useful for performance purposes due to the nature of the runway and the amount of local activity. Throw in typical decent weather and its no surprise many OEMs use Roswell for performance testing.>>

10-4 on that purpose. Weeks and weeks of field perf test matrix ... Dawn 'til dusk. 365/24/7 (in general)

[filejw]

P A , It has only been six hours since the accident and its a 4 or 5 hrs flight from SAV, what kind of info could be released. The powers that be at Gulfstream are most likely getting on scene only now.

[Jetstar2Pilot]

A G200 from KSAV is just now arriving at KROW. Plane is registered to Gulfstream.

[monkey_wrench]

What dreadful news and brings into sharp focus the risks that exist in certifying aircraft.

The Gulfstream family is a small one and my thoughts are with all Gulfstreamers in Savannah tonight.

[Pugilistic Animus]

P A , It has only been six hours since the accident and its a 4 or 5 hrs flight from SAV, what kind of info could be released.

Simply that the accident aircraft is confirmed to be a G-650

It does not seem like a good sign when basic info is not released...