A Gulfstream GIV aborted its takeoff from Eagle County (Colo.) Regional Airport’s 9,000-foot runway on February 7 because of a “failure of the aircraft to rotate,” according to a Gulfstream operator letter published last week. The aircraft, operated by Fair Wind Air Charter as a Part 91 flight, was successfully brought to a halt on the hard surface, despite the crew’s decision to abort above rotation speed. Braking efforts required to stop the aircraft created a fire in the right main wheel assembly that deflated both tires. The fire was quickly extinguished by airport fire fighters.
In a separate memo obtained and verified by AIN, Fair Winds executive vice president and director of operations Alexander Beringer said the crew reported “that controls felt 'unloaded,' 'mushy' and 'unresponsive' and no matter how much they pulled aft on the 'resistance free' yoke, the aircraft would not rotate.” Beringer added, “The crew’s decisive, correct and split-second actions resulted in the safe abort directly preventing the loss of life and property.”
Although this Gulfstream control issue investigation has just begun, in online pilot discussion groups some operators are already comparing it to the one at Bedford, Mass., on May 31, 2014.