GULFSTREAM GIV near Kerry — 2009-07-13

Probable cause

Investigated by a foreign authority; NTSB does not determine probable cause.

NTSB narrative

On July 13, 2009, at 0815 Coordinated Universal Time, a Gulfstream Aerospace G IV SP, VT-MST, registered to Asia Aviation Ltd, descended below the minimum safe altitude and flew near mountainous terrain in instrument meteorological conditions after departing from the Kerry Airport (EIKY), Farranfore, Ireland. The two crew members and passenger were not injured. The AAIU requested an analysis of the pilot's forward windscreen which experienced a failure of the outboard glass ply. An analysis of the windscreen was conducted at PPG Aerospace under the supervision of the National Transportation Safety Board. Analysis results were submitted to the Irish investigator-in-charge for consideration. In addition, several sections of the outboard glass ply were swabbed for potential bird deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The samples were tested by the Smithsonian Institution's Feather Identification Lab which determined that bird DNA was not present. This investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Ireland. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by the Government of Ireland. Further information pertaining to his accident may be obtained from: Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) Department of Transportation 44 Kildare St Dublin 2 Ireland

Analysis

Primary failure mode

VFR into IMC

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have maintained minimum safe altitude to avoid IMC.

Evidence available

• 2 docket documents

Docket documents2

• Correspondence: Negative bird strike emailother
• Foreign accident narrativeother