Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV accident near Broomfield, Colorado, February 8, 2002
On February 8, 2002 at about 6:26 pm local time, a Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV, registered N434QS, was involved in an accident near Broomfield, Colorado (Jeffco airport). It was an executive or corporate flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the flight attendant's failure to fasten his seatbelt when warned of possible turbulence. A contributing factor was the severe turbulence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 8, 2002 · about 6:26 pm local time
- Place
- Broomfield, Colorado · Jeffco · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV · all G-IVs on the register
- Registration
- N434QS · registry record · serial 1334
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Executive or corporate flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Air traffic control advised the flight crew of possible severe turbulence as they began the en route descent. The captain said she briefed the flight attendant as to the possibility of turbulence. As the airplane continued its descent, the captain turned on the "Fasten Seatbelt/No Smoking" sign. Shortly thereafter, the airplane encountered "severe turbulence." The flight attendant stated that he was out of his seat when he heard the "Fasten Seatbelt/No Smoking" chime. He returned to his seat, but was unable to fasten his seatbelt before the turbulence encounter and was thrown about. The flight crew heard the flight attendant screaming, but were unable to check him due to more demanding flight duties. Priority handling to the airport was requested, and emergency equipment was asked to stand by. The flight attendant was taken to a local hospital where X-rays revealed he had fractured his ankle bone. The flight attendant said he had no recollection of being briefed about possible turbulence by the flight crew.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 9,862 hours in all; 3,005 in this make and model; 153 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 9,498 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 12, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 11,707 hours in all; 400 in this make and model
- Last flight review: November 12, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,329 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, November 30, 2001; 340 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 73,200 lb
- Seats: 16
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 611-8 TAY (turbofan); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SJC San Jose CA at 4:25 pm
- Destination: BJC Broomfield CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft; scat at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 3°F (-16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.76 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from DEN, 21 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 2 | ||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.