Gulfstream Aerospace G IV incident near Eagle, Colorado, February 8, 2015
On February 8, 2015 at about 4:36 am local time, a 1987 Gulfstream Aerospace G IV, registered N701DB, suffered minor damage in an incident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Eagle, Colorado (Eagle County Regional airport). It was an executive or corporate flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 7 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's rejected takeoff due to perceived flight control system anomalies, which led to excessive brake temperatures and resulted in a right main landing gear brake fire.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 8, 2015 · about 4:36 am local time
- Place
- Eagle, Colorado · Eagle County Regional · map
- Type
- Incident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 7 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Gulfstream Aerospace G IV, built 1987 · all G IVs on the register
- Registration
- N701DB · registry record · serial 1036
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Executive or corporate flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the pretakeoff flight control check was "normal" with "no binding or resistance issues." During the initial takeoff, the pilot used the autothrottles. Shortly after, a triple chime and master warning indication activated, so he rejected the takeoff. However, the pilot observed no messages on the crew alert system nor any tripped electrical circuit breakers, so he chose to attempt another takeoff. During this takeoff, he did not use the autothrottles. As the airplane accelerated through 75 knots, the triple chime and master warning indication activated again. The engine low-pressure turbine speed was within the yellow arc, so the pilot reduced the engine thrust slightly to return to the normal operating range and continued the takeoff. At rotation speed, he pulled back on the control yoke, but the flight controls did not seem to respond normally. The pilot added that the controls had no "noticeable pressure resistance and felt unloaded with hydraulic pressure." He noted that the yoke was moved "forward and then back further aft" with the same result. The pilot subsequently rejected the takeoff and applied maximum braking and full reverse thrust. He taxied the airplane off the runway and stopped it on the parallel taxiway. A postincident examination of the airplane, including the flight control system, did not reveal any anomalies that would have compromised the effectiveness of the flight control system. Although minor variations in the inboard elevator control cable tension and elevator control surface deflections were noted, these variations also likely existed during the initial flight of the day; the pilots of that flight reported no discrepancies. After repairing the fire damage to the right main landing gear, the airplane manufacturer had two test pilots conduct an evaluation test flight. The pilots reported that the elevator response during takeoff was "positive, obvious, and 100% normal." The pilots continued the takeoff and subsequently returned for a full-stop landing. They reported that no anomalies occurred during the evaluation test flight.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Brake › Capability exceeded
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,720 hours in all; 2,450 in this make and model; 38 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 2,719 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 10, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,105 hours in all; 2,715 in this make and model; 38 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 2,788 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 10, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,473 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, February 3, 2015; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 74,600 lb
- Seats: 18
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Rolls-Royce TAY 611-8 (turbofan); 11,953 hours total
- Engine 2: Rolls-Royce TAY 611-8 (turbofan); 12,232 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Executive Air Charter Of Boca Raton
The flight
- Departed from: EGE Eagle CO at 4:35 am
- Destination: BUR Burbank CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 25, 9,000 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 am from EGE, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 5 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
19 documents, released by the NTSB on October 15, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.
