Rockwell International NA-265-80 accident near Brownwood, Texas, May 9, 2005
On May 9, 2005 at about 2:55 pm local time, a Rockwell International NA-265-80, registered N972NR, was substantially damaged in an accident near Brownwood, Texas (Brownwood Regional Airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power due to damage to the first stage compressor by a foreign object (bird).
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 9, 2005 · about 2:55 pm local time
- Place
- Brownwood, Texas · Brownwood Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Rockwell International NA-265-80
- Registration
- N972NR · no longer on the register · serial 380-065
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the takeoff roll, the left engine of the twin-turbo fan engine jet ingested a bird into the first stage compressor blades. The 4,120-hour captain reported that just after V1, the flight crew and passengers heard a loud bang followed by the airplane swerving to the left. The captain aborted the takeoff roll. Subsequently, the airplane overran the departure end of the 5,599-foot asphalt runway. Examination of the engine revealed foreign object damage to five first stage compressor blades. A residue was also found on the damaged blades. Small organic fibers, that appeared to be from a bird, were found throughout the second stage turbine nozzle and on the combustion chamber mating flange. Continuity was established throughout the engine and accessory gearbox.
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; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,210 hours in all; 1,558 in this make and model; 127 in the last 90 days; 41 in the last 30 days; 3,260 as pilot in command; 1,631 on instruments
- Last flight review: December 1, 2004
- 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; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,020 hours in all; 177 in this make and model; 123 in the last 90 days; 32 in the last 30 days; 1,670 as pilot in command; 685 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,160.6 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, March 1, 2005; 62 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 23,000 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: General Electric CF700-2A2 (turbofan); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BWD Brownwood TX at 2:55 pm
- Destination: Mesquite NV
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 17, 5,599 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 900 ft; ovct at 900 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 3:05 pm from BWD
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.