Gulfstream confirms G650 crash, identifies employees killed

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. confirmed today that a Gulfstream G650 crashed Saturday morning during takeoff performance tests in Roswell, New Mexico. Two Gulfstream pilots and two Gulfstream flight-test engineers died in the crash.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who were lost,” said Joe Lombardo, president, Gulfstream Aerospace.

The accident is under investigation by Gulfstream, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.

“We are cooperating 100 percent with the investigation,” Lombardo said.

LATEST UPDATE – Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today identified the four employees killed in the crash of a Gulfstream G650 during flight testing in Roswell, N.M.

Experimental test pilots Kent Crenshaw and Vivan Ragusa and technical specialists David McCollum and Reece Ollenburg died in the April 2 accident. All four were residents of Savannah.

“We mourn the loss of our colleagues and friends and extend our deepest sympathies to their families,” said Joe Lombardo, president, Gulfstream. “The Gulfstream team has already rallied to support the people these men left behind, and we know that the local and aviation communities will do the same. On their behalf, we ask for your kindness, support and understanding as they, and the rest of the Gulfstream family, grieve the passing of these fine professionals.”

Crenshaw, 64, joined Gulfstream in August 1997. He leaves behind a wife and adult son.

Ollenburg, 48, had been with Gulfstream since June 2009. He is survived by his wife, and three children.

Ragusa, 51, was hired at Gulfstream in 2007. He is survived by his wife and three children.

McCollum, 47, who started working at Gulfstream in 2006, is survived by his parents.

The ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650 crashed April 2 during takeoff-performance tests at the Roswell International Air Center Airport in Roswell.