In its preliminary report on the February 7 Gulfstream IV takeoff incident at Eagle, Colo., the NTSB uncovered “no anomalies with respect to the flight control system” and “no indication that the circumstances of this incident are related to any previous GIV takeoff accidents or incidents.” The pilot of the incident aircraft reported checking the Gulfstream’s flight controls before taxi and found them responding normally, according to the report.

During takeoff with the autothrottles engaged, a triple chime sounded at 75 knots, causing the pilot to reject the takeoff and safely stop the aircraft. Neither pilot saw any crew alert system (CAS) messages or tripped circuit breakers, so they attempted a second takeoff without autothrottles.

During the second takeoff attempt, the triple chime sounded again at 75 knots and the pilot noticed engine low-pressure turbine speed in the yellow arc. He adjusted the power to the normal range and continued the takeoff. At rotation speed, he pulled back on the control yoke and reported that the flight controls did not respond normally.

According to the NTSB report, the pilot felt no "noticeable pressure resistance and [the controls] felt unloaded with hydraulic pressure." He rejected the takeoff, applying maximum braking and full reverse thrust. The right brake caught fire, but it was extinguished by airport firefighters. No one on board was injured during the evacuation.