Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Cessna 175 Skylark, N7100M: Incident occurred June 08, 2020 in Eugene, Lane County, Oregon

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Portland, Oregon

Aircraft lost part of left wing leading edge at 4000 feet.

https://registry.faa.gov/N7100M

Date: 08-JUN-20
Time: 15:00:00Z
Regis#: N7100M
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 175
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: EN ROUTE (ENR)
Operation: 91
City: EUGENE
State: OREGON

2 comments:

  1. I believe this plane had fixed leading edge slats, not designed for this aircraft, pop riveted onto the original Cessna leading edge, which is thin aluminum sheet stock. Total experiment that probably needs to properly engineered. Problem is slapping on these parts and flying as experimental exhibition is just a way of getting around the regulations. This plane is used and flown as one in the standard category. Flying very often along with fellow pilots that follow the regulations. It had to declare emergency and land at class D airport. Looking at past flight history, their is no way it is being operated according the restrictions for the experimental exhibition category. The FAA needs to take a hard look at this situation before someone gets hurt by a pilot who is wrongly operating the aircraft. Others will look at this and want start converting standard category aircraft to one of these. The 50% rule usually prevents this, but in this case someone signed off on the plane as airworthy. I would not want my name on this project. FAA take notice.

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  2. I am familiar with this airplane and conversion into the Experimental Exhibition category. Many questions exist about the airworthiness of aircraft and/or lack of STC’s. The conversion of category from standard is pushing the limits in many ways. Such as: conversion from tri gear to conventional gear, engine and mount, prop, landing gear, wing modifications, and anything else thrown on it. It appears to be a budget operation which raises more concerns. The fixed slats maybe most concerning. Losing one side at the wrong time such as a during a high “g” maneuver at low elevation could be very dangerous. Taking passengers is also something that should be limited. My opinion only, as many think it’s a cool plane.

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