EAA Urging Owners To 'Not To Fly Those Aircraft Until Maintenance Completed'

A note from EAA to ANN came in, in which they are urging owners of Zodiac CH601XL and CH650 aircraft to not fly those airplanes until wing maintenance is completed to comply with the FAA's recent Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin.

The FAA issued the SAIB in the aftermath of several accidents since April 2009 involving those particular Zodiac models of aircraft. The agency's investigation, done in cooperation with the aircraft manufacturer, uncovered areas of concern related to wing structure, airspeed calibration, stick-force characteristics, among other items.

As a result, the FAA is strongly recommending that owners and operators of Zodiac CH601XL and CH650 aircraft comply with actions outlined in a forthcoming safety directive/alert to address those concerns. The FAA is urging that the aircraft not be flown until the maintenance is completed.

EAA has been monitoring FAA's efforts on this issue and agrees that such maintenance measures should be completed before any further operation of the aircraft. EAA will immediately forward additional information and guidance to EAA members, Technical Counselors and Flight Advisors as it becomes available.

FMI: http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgSAIB.nsf/(LookupSAIBs)/CE-10-08?OpenDocument