NBAA Concurs With NTSB On Checklist Use

In its final report last week on a fatal Gulfstream IV crash, the NTSB asked NBAA to conduct a study of flight-crew compliance with checklist procedures, and NBAA has responded that it "stands ready to deliver." The NTSB asked NBAA to analyze existing data to check for compliance with manufacturer-required routine flight-control checks before takeoff, and provide the results of this analysis to NBAA members. "NBAA appreciates the NTSB's diligent investigation of this accident, and its recognition of NBAA's ability to assess and address the hazards of procedural non-compliance within the business aviation community," said NBAA President Ed Bolen.

The safety board's investigation found the crew had made a habit of neglecting the pre-takeoff checklists, and attempted to take off with the gust lock engaged. All seven on board were killed. The safety recommendations also included a request to the International Business Aviation Council to establish standards for verifying that operators are using checklists, including the use of the challenge-verification-response format whenever possible. Also, the board asked the FAA to require that the gust lock system on all existing G-IV airplanes be retrofitted to ensure that the gust lock physically limits the operation of the airplane, so the pilot receives an unmistakable warning at the start of takeoff if the gust lock is engaged.