NTSB releases preliminary statement on Gulfstream crash
April 8, 2011, 11:07 pm
The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary findings regarding the recent aircraft accident that occurred during the Gulfstream test flight at the Roswell International Air Center in New Mexico.
The accident killed all four Gulfstream employees on board the aircraft at the time.
The NTSB has reported that scrape marks made by the aircraft's wingtip begin 5,300 feet before the end of the runway and continue in the direction of the final resting place of the aircraft. The aircraft struck a number of different obstructions before it finally stopped.
Witnesses reportedly told the safety agency that the aircraft was engulfed in flames while it skidded on the ground and that the bottom of the wing continued to spark and smoke until the aircraft stopped moving.
Though the response was reportedly quick and airport rescue and fire fighting units were able to battle the blaze, all on board still perished at the scene.
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