The second rejected takeoff of a Gulfstream IV that resulted in a brake fire on February 7 this year was caused by the pilot's “perceived” ineffectiveness of the flight controls, which led to the aborts and “excessive brake temperatures,” according to the NTSB’s probable cause report, released on Thursday. The pilot aborted the first takeoff without incident in response to a “triple chime and master warning indication.”
On the second attempt, the airplane was accelerating through 75 knots when the triple chime and master warning sounded again. Also, the low-pressure turbine speed was in the yellow arc, so the pilot reduced thrust slightly to return to the normal operating range and continued the takeoff. At rotation speed, the pilot pulled back on the control yoke, but the flight controls did not respond, he said. In the subsequent rejected takeoff the pilot applied maximum braking, causing the right main gear to catch fire.
Examination of the airplane did not reveal any anomalies that would have compromised the effectiveness of the flight controls, said the Safety Board. After the fire damage was repaired, two Gulfstream test pilots conducted an evaluation flight. The pilots reported that the elevator response during takeoff was “positive, obvious and 100-percent normal.” The pilots continued the takeoff, returned for a normal landing and the aircraft was released to its owner.
