# NTSB ERA26LA218: Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G600, N600WE, Birmingham, AL, May 27, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 27, 2026, 13:08 local (18:08 UTC) - Place: Birmingham, AL - Coordinates: 33.564773, -86.755151 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5648&lon=-86.7552&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 14 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 203065 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203065/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA218 ## Probable cause The flight crew’s decision to continue the landing approach into adverse weather conditions, which resulted in a loss visual reference and loss airplane control during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G600, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=3980219), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: rain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G600, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035035/cases.md?model=3980219), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035035/cases.md) - [Convective weather: thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G600, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010/cases.md?model=3980219), [All aircraft, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Flight crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G600, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=3980219), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G600, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=3980219), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G600, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=3980219), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G600, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=3980219), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight crew of the business jet were approaching the destination airport near the conclusion of the transcontinental flight. The second-in-command (SIC) reported that air traffic control cleared the flight to land when the airplane was about 3 miles from the airport. Just after being cleared to land, the air traffic controller informed the flight crew that heavy rain would be encountered throughout the landing approach. The pilot-in-command (PIC) also described observing precipitation via weather radar and that a heavy rain cell had been reported on the runway. The SIC subsequently called the runway in sight when the airplane was about 250 feet above the airport elevation, and they continued the approach. As that airplane entered the landing flare, the forward visibility was extremely reduced, due to the heavy rain downpour, and the flight crew lost outside visual reference. Shortly after touching down the crew regained visual reference of the runway and realized that the airplane was drifting right of the runway centerline. The airplane continued right and the right main landing gear exited the paved runway surface into the grass. The pilots applied left control inputs, and the airplane rotated about 70° to the left before it came to rest on the runway, oriented nearly perpendicular to their approach path. The flight crew then applied power and were able to taxi to parking uneventfully. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing during the accident sequence. The PIC reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of weather radar reflectivity data about the time of the accident showed that heavy to extreme precipitation was present on the approach to and over the airport. A special surface observation report was issued about the time of the accident and indicated ¾ statute mile of visibility in heavy rain, thunderstorms, and mist. Review of airport surveillance video confirmed that when the accident airplane was landing, the runway approach end was obscured by heavy rain, consistent with the flight crew, radar, and airport surface observation report. After the accident, the PIC stated, “We didn’t like the looks of the radar return, however there were no indications of sheer and the two aircraft ahead of us reported no issues. We flew a stabilized [instrument landing system] approach all the way to touchdown, but the visibility through heavy rain, gusty winds and wet runway condition should have been anticipated.” ## Aircraft - Registration: [N600WE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N600WE), registered now, S/N 73050 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP GVII-G600 - Registry model: [Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G600](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-aerospace-gvii-g600) (registry code 3980219) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 73050 - Year built: 2021 - Airframe hours: 783 - Engines: Pratt & Whiteny Canada PW815GA 6925 lbs thrust turbo fan; Pratt & Whitney Canada PW815GA 6925 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91 - Operator: AAA Cooper Transportation - Registered owner: Spring Creek Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 12, 2026, 60 hours before - Departed: EIKY, Kerry, OF - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BHM, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Intl, runway 24, 12,007 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Heads up display, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Data recorder, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 22, 2026; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 13,462 total, 652 in this make and model, 12,136 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 13, 2026; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 7,680 total, 550 in this make and model, 3,891 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 0.75 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,300 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Turbulence: Unknown - Observed at: BHM, 1 nm away - METAR: SPECI KBHM 271809Z 18007KT 100V210 3/4SM +TSRA BR BKN033CB 27/22 A3006 RMK AO2 RAB00 TSB1758 OCNL LTGCG S TS S MOV NE CB DSNT SE-SW MOV NE TCU OHD AND NE-SE-SW P0003 T02720222 RVRNO ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20260527007669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260527007669A), May 27, 2026: Gulfstream Aerospace Corp GVII-G600, Birmingham, AL, Substantial damage. During short final the aircraft entered an area of heavy rain. At touchdown, the aircraft began to veer to the right resulting in the right main landing gear… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.