Gulfstream G1159A accident near Nueva Esparta, Ve, July 4, 2017
On July 4, 2017 at about 5:45 pm local time, a Gulfstream G1159A, registered YV2896, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Nueva Esparta. It was a personal flight under non-U.S. private rules. 9 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 2017 · about 5:45 pm local time
- Place
- Nueva Esparta, Venezuela · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 9 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Gulfstream G1159A · all G1159As on the register
- Registration
- YV2896 · no longer on the register · serial 469
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On July 4, 2017, about 1745 coordinated universal time (UTC), a Gulfstream 1159A, Venezuela registration YV2895, descended into the Caribbean Sea northwest of Nueva Esparta, Venezuela, and was presumed to be destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the foreign, non-commercial personal flight from Margarita Del Caribe International Airport (SVMG), Nueva Esparta, Venezuela, to Maiquetia Simon Bolivar International Airport (SVMI), Vargas, Venezuela. Two occupants were recovered and were fatally injured while the remaining 7 occupants were not recovered and were presumed to be fatally injured. The flight originated from SVMG about 1725 UTC.According to preliminary information, after takeoff the airplane proceeded in a west-northwesterly heading and climbed to 20,000 ft. During cruise flight, a flight crewmember advised the controller of a malfunction of the hydraulic system, and descended to 16,000 ft. A flight crewmember then advised the controller of a discrepancy with the flight controls. While flying at 3,000 ft, radio contact was lost. A search for the aircraft and occupants was initiated, but the main wreckage has not been recovered. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the government of Venezuela. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: General Directorate for Research and Prevention of Air Accidents Av. Francisco de Miranda Torre MTT, Piso 20 Chacao, Caracas 1060 Venezuela Tel.: (58) 212-274-5590 / 5464, (58) 426-518-6717 / 414-219-2717 AFTN: SVCCLALX Telex: 24626 MTCAC VC Cable: DIGETRAERO-CARACAS Website: www.mpptaa.gob.ve This report is for informational purposes only, and contains only information released by or obtained for the Government of Venezuela.
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
- Flight control sys malf/fail during enroute (cruise) defining event
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 69,700 lb
- Seats: 19
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Rolls-Royce 511-8 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Rolls-Royce 511-8 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Not recorded
The flight
- Departed from: SVMG Nueva at 5:25 pm
- Destination: SVMI Vargas
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 6:00 pm from SVMG, 45 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 7 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.