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Larry Winger's 601XL Project
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Date: 4-14-2009
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Number of Hours: 0.00
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Manual Reference:
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Brief Description: NTSB report on 601XL sent to FAA
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After many months of waiting and wondering, Zenith 601XL builders finally saw the NTSB report on recent 601XL crashes, both U.S. and abroad. In an urgent letter to the head of the FAA, the NTSB is recommending that all 601XLs (and presumably the 650 also) be grounded until the manufacturer can prove to the NTSB and FAA that they have addressed a couple of key safety issues, most importantly the possibility of aileron flutter under certain conditions. When it became apparent to me that Zenith was not going to act unless prompted by outside groups, I ponied up $300 and joined the Zenith Builders Analysis Group organized by Terry Phillips and William Dominguez. The money collected was used to hire independent aeronautical engineers to study the aircraft design. It was very encouraging to read multiple reference to the ZBAG report and studies in the NTSB letter, which tells me that our money, time and effort were not in vain. I would say that ZBAG played a significant role in getting the attention of the right regulatory bodies and insisting that they look at the data. Now we must wait to see (1) if the FAA will take the NTSB recommendation, and (2) if Zenith will act decisively (with or without FAA mandate) to address the flutter issue with a retrofitable modification. I, for one, and glad to see this day come. Now we can all hope for a speedy and appropriate response to clear the reputation of this fine aircraft. A press release summary of the NTSB report can be found at http://www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2009/090414a.html.
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