Eclipse 500 Lands Wheels Up At KABQ

The fourth out of five flying aircraft in Eclipse Aviation's test fleet, N505EA, was damaged Saturday when it landed gear-up at the Albuquerque International Sunport. No one was injured.

Company spokesman Andrew Broom told reporters that the company was investigating the cause of the accident, as well as the extent of the damage.

Five-Echo-Alpha entered Eclipse's fleet on July 9th of this year, the company's first "beta" test aircraft. On that day the jet climbed to 16,000 feet, reaching speeds of 160 kts. The 43-minute flight included tests of flap-operation, pressurization, and handling qualities.

Just seventeen days after that first flight, N505EA flew cross-country from Albuquerque to Oshkosh, WI to make an appearance at EAA's AirVenture 2005, along with sister ship N504EA. Its appearance at Oshkosh was delayed by one day due to igniter issues with one of its PW610F engines, but once it arrived at OSH the bird performed a series of flawless demonstration flights in tandem with N504EA.

Eclipse's five test aircraft are on an accelerated 24/7 test schedule in anticipation of receiving FAA certification in early 2006. The company has over 2,200 orders on the books for the $1.3 million VLJ.

FMI: www.eclipseaviation.com