Two dead in Zodiac CH601 XL accident

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pjcampbell
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Two dead in Zodiac CH601 XL accident

Post by pjcampbell »

http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=174999

Lots of news links at bottom of above link.

According to a wiki report from a few years ago (not specific to this accident - and not suggesting that wing flutter or structure was an issue in this case ):
FAA review of the in-flight failures did not indicate a single root cause, but instead implicated the potential combination of several design and operation aspects. Our preliminary assessments focused on the strength and stability of the wing structure. Further analysis during the special review found the loads the manufacturer used to design the structure do not meet the design standards for a 1,320 lb (600kg) airplane. Static load test data verifies our conclusion. The special review also identified issues with the airplane’s flutter characteristics, stick force gradients, airspeed calibration, and operating limitations.[26]

If this is right, how did it pass ATSM tests?

News is saying its a "kit" plane but I'm pretty sure this is an SLSA.
theoarno
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Re: Two dead in Zodiac CH601 XL accident

Post by theoarno »

That quote is from a home built accident several years back. That model has since then been through a wing spar upgrade and new specifications regarding adjustment of elevator cables.
nbjeeptj
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Re: Two dead in Zodiac CH601 XL accident

Post by nbjeeptj »

As the owner of a AMD built 601xl I take notice of any news related to a 601XL. From what I am reading on this acident it looks more like he hit a tree after take off. To my knowlage there has not been a single reported case of a 601XLB (the B standing for a wing upgraded aircraft) involved in a crash from coming apart due to wing flutter.
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Re: Two dead in Zodiac CH601 XL accident

Post by bottleworks »

(I'm gone. Everything deleted! Can't stand the ignorant data spread here).
Last edited by bottleworks on Fri May 08, 2015 9:04 pm, edited 2 times in total.
pjcampbell
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Re: Two dead in Zodiac CH601 XL accident

Post by pjcampbell »

nbjeeptj wrote:As the owner of a AMD built 601xl I take notice of any news related to a 601XL. From what I am reading on this acident it looks more like he hit a tree after take off. To my knowlage there has not been a single reported case of a 601XLB (the B standing for a wing upgraded aircraft) involved in a crash from coming apart due to wing flutter.
Thanks for the info on the model "B". Did they recall and upgrade existing planes or are they out there unmodified?
nbjeeptj
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Re: Two dead in Zodiac CH601 XL accident

Post by nbjeeptj »

The B is not added to the registration, it is more of a way in a fourm or when you list it for sale to designate it as having the wing mod complete. AMD issued a AD for the SLSA, so for a SLSA if it is currently flying it either has a ferry permit to fly it to get modified, or it has been completed. It was not mandatory for an AB or ESLA, so it possible that they are flying without the mod complete, tho probably a terrible idea.
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drseti
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Re: Two dead in Zodiac CH601 XL accident

Post by drseti »

The FAA registry shows the manufacturer as AMD, so that identfies it as clearly an SLSA (factory built). The AOPA warning predates the wing mod, and since the AD was issued 5 years ago, the only way this one could have been flying unmodified is if it was 5 years out of annual.
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MrMorden
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Re: Two dead in Zodiac CH601 XL accident

Post by MrMorden »

Pretty sure hitting a tree is not really going to be fixed by reinforcing the wing structure. :wink:
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sandpiper
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Re: Two dead in Zodiac CH601 XL accident

Post by sandpiper »

I can't tell the orientation of the runway but if he was taking off at 4:00 p.m. and into the sun he may have had trouble seeing the trees??

Just a possibility.
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