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Mon, Nov 20, 2006

NTSB Releases Preliminary Report On CA Zodiac Accident

Witnesses Say Plane Was Having Engine Trouble

Editor's Note: Below is the National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report on the November 4 inflight breakup of an AMD CH601XL Zodiac light sport aircraft in Northern California.

NTSB Identification: LAX07FA026
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, November 04, 2006 in Yuba City, CA
Aircraft: Aircraft Mfg & Dev. Co. (AMD) CH601XL SLSA, registration: N158MD
Injuries: 2 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On November 4, 2006, about 1139 Pacific standard time, an Aircraft Manufacturing & Development Co., CH601XL SLSA, N158MD, experienced an in-flight breakup while cruising approximately 8 nautical miles south of Yuba City, California. The airplane was destroyed. The private pilot, who was a co-owner of the airplane, and a passenger were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Lincoln, California, about 1129.

A ground-based witness reported hearing the airplane as it approached his location. The witness stated that the airplane's engine was "missing" and its power was "on and off." Seconds later the witness heard the sound of an explosion and observed the center section of the airplane falling straight down.

All of the airplane's structural components were located in adjacent open fields during the National Transportation Safety Board's on-scene investigation. The wreckage consisted of the following components, which were separated from each other: left wing (without aileron); right wing (with aileron); main landing gear assembly; cockpit, engine with attached propeller blades; aileron (left wing); and empennage. There was no evidence of oil spray on any of the components, and there was no evidence of fire.

The wreckage has been recovered and detailed airframe and engine examinations are ongoing.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov

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