This past April, the NTSB called upon the FAA to ground the entire fleet of Zodiac aircraft because their wings tend to fall off in mid-flight. As it turns out, a defect in the Zodiac’s design induces an aerodynamic phenomenon known as flutter. Flutter can destroy a wing or other control surface in a matter of seconds.
More Zodiac Victims File Suit
The families of the victims of the Zodiac crash near Oakdale, California, have filed suit against the aircraft’s maker, Zenith Aircraft, alleging that the Zodiac’s design is defective. The Zodiac is the two-seat aircraft whose wings tend to break off in flight due to a design-induced aerodynamic phenomenon known as flutter. That appears
OSC: FAA Ignoring EMS Helicopter Dangers For Fear of Negative Publicity
The FAA is supposed to use its regulatory powers to promote aviation safety. Over the years, however, it seems to have become too bureaucratic and conflicted to take decisive action when it counts most. Examples:
- In April, the NTSB asked the FAA to immediately ground the fleet of Zodiac aircraft because the aircraft’s wings tend to
NTSB to FAA: Ground the Zodiac Fleet
Today the NTSB issued an "urgent" safety recommendation, asking the FAA to immediately ground all Zodiac CH-601XL aircraft. The reason: their wings tend to fall off. So far, six have broken up in flight, causing 10 fatalities. The NTSB suspects that the design of the aircraft induces "flutter"– an aerodynamic phenomenon that can destroy an aircraft