Fail-safe problem reported on Gulfstream IV jets; same plane that crashed last year, killing 7

The manufacturer of the jet that crashed on takeoff last year, killing the co-owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer and six other people, reports a problem with a fail-safe system.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. told federal officials in May that an interlock system on the Gulfstream IV that is supposed to keep planes from reaching high speeds on the runway when the plane's hinged tail sections are locked actually allows much higher runway speeds.

The company, however, blames the crash on the crew failing to unlock the tail sections and failing to abort takeoff immediately when the plane began hurtling down the runway before crashing.

The Philadelphia Inquirer (http://bit.ly/1IQmkVX) reports that the Federal Aviation Administration is working with Gulfstream on design changes to nearly 500 of the planes still in service.

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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.inquirer.com