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Gulfstream G650
Undergoing Flight Takeoff Performance Test Crashes By Eddy Metcalf |
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April 4, 2011 - On Saturday morning a Gulfstream G650
was undergoing flight takeoff-performance tests in
The Gulfstream G650 is a twin-engine business jet
aircraft under development by Gulfstream Aerospace.
Gulfstream began the G650 program in 2005 and revealed
it to the public in 2008. The G650 is the company's
largest and fastest business jet.
At
about 9:30 AM the Gulfstream G650 began its departure
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The
Gulfstream G650 crashed and burst into fames at the end of the
runway. On Sunday Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. identified the four
employees killed in the crash. Experimental test pilots Kent
Crenshaw and Vivan Ragusa and technical specialists David
McCollum and Reece Ollenburg died in the accident. All four were
residents of
"We mourn
the loss of our colleagues and friends and extend our deepest
sympathies to their families," said Joe Lombardo, president,
Gulfstream. "The Gulfstream team has already rallied to support
the people these men left behind, and we know that the local and
aviation communities will do the same. On their behalf, we ask
for your kindness, support and understanding as they, and the
rest of the Gulfstream family, grieve the passing of these fine
professionals."
Crenshaw,
64, joined Gulfstream in August 1997. He leaves behind a wife
and adult son. Ollenburg, 48, had been with Gulfstream since
June 2009. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Flight tests on the Gulfstream G650 began in late 2009,
joint certification from the US Federal Aviation
Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency is
being pursued and expected to be completed during 2011.
Customer deliveries are expected to begin in 2012.
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