Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Art in Austin on April 15, 2009 at 6:42am

more bull, fi chicken little claims long enough and loud enough, it may really fall. Un subscribe me from yet another list of chicken littles.

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Permalink Reply by Jay Maynard on April 15, 2009 at 6:59am

The NTSB is not known for crying wolf. There's something there. Whether Zenair's recommendation to deal with the problem with aileron cable tension is adequate is open to debate, and it doesn't look like the FAA is going to ground the fleet immediately. Still, too many experts have said there's a problem there to ignore it.

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Permalink Reply by james m dunham on April 21, 2009 at 8:49am

Get a grip Art.... Jay, Dave X and Doug are right on the money. Let's take a scientific approach to this problem and not start pointing fingers at other pilots, you think are "Chicken Littles".

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Permalink Reply by David X Johnson on April 15, 2009 at 9:25am

Art, if you have something specific issues/concerns, by all means bring it to the attention of the investigating scientist (contact details below). He has been very responsive to all my questions and concerns. He has also told me that he has seen a partially assembled 601XL and he liked the aircraft a lot ... that it was something he'd enjoy flying. That hardly seems like a "chicken little" to me. I think you should take the report seriously.

clarkj@ntsb.gov
John Clark
Chief Scientist
Office of Aviation Safety
National Transportation Safety Board
490 L'enfant Plaza SW
Washington, DC 20594
Cell 202-257-0121
Office 202-314-6300
www.ntsb.gov

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Permalink Reply by Bob Reinero on April 15, 2009 at 3:39pm

I also would like to see a factory retro-fit of a push rod solution to this potential problem. The cost of turnbuckles etc. actually would cost more than rod ends and bell crank bearings, and be a lot simpler to fabricate and maintain.

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Permalink Reply by A David NIxon on April 15, 2009 at 3:50pm

Ater having read the recommendation Letter, I am now more convinced than ever that installing aileron pushrods in my CH601XL was the correct thing to do. Installing pushrods is very easy as an aftermarket item. I believe that it can be safely done without removing the wings. The hardest item to complete the installation is the hole thru the fuselage allowing the pushrod access to the aileron bellcrank out on the wing. everything else is straight forward. Personally, i would recommend aileron pushrods be installed in all CH601XLs. I am now looking at pushrods for the elevator to do at my next 'Condition Inspection' in June. Rudder cables will stay. Let us see what Zenith has to say about al of this. i hope they respond in a timely fashion.

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Permalink Reply by John Cange on April 15, 2009 at 4:11pm

One thing that caught my eye on the NTSB investigation was the eyewitness accounts of actually seeing / hearing wing vibration. How's that possible?? I am not doubting that there's a flutter problem, but I've never heard anyone say anything about a wing vibration as witnessed from the ground. You ever stand outside and say to someone.. "see that wing vibrate?" David, as far as Zenith responding in a timely fashion, they've come out with their standard form letter, on their website, stating "We continue to believe wing flutter will not occur if the control cables are adjusted properly. Nonetheless, we are carefully considering the points raised in the memo, including whether the Zodiac CH-601XL is susceptible to wing flutter. Each accident discussed in the NTSB memo occurred under different circumstances". The thing is, I trust Zenith, and I trust the NTSB. It might take a fleet grounding to get this resolved. I hope not, but safety first.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Reinero on April 15, 2009 at 6:07pm

David

Please describe the materials you used for your aileron push rod system and the approximate cost. I think all would be surprise at how simple and inexpensive the refit would be. A list of materials and photos would be much appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by Frederick Schutt on April 19, 2009 at 12:48pm

Hi Dave, Great looking plane (dvd #171) I really think that push rods are the answer-like the Mooney I had. My first wing is ready to rivit top skin- bottom skin is rivited. To install push rods-must I do it before riviting or can it be done later? Did you use supplied aileron bell crank? What guides did you use? Would appreciate all info you can give me.

Thanks, Frederick Schutt

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Permalink Reply by Alfonso Lebron-Berges on December 21, 2010 at 8:33pm

David I have been looking for pushrods installations instead of cables.

 

Could you guide me to a site where this info could be obtained?

 

Please answer to my email address.

 

Thanks in advance for your help;

 

 

 

 

 

Alfonso Lebron-Berges

 

alebron@bellsouth.net

 

ZODIAC 601-XL

 

Rudder, elevator and flaps completed.

 

.

 

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Permalink Reply by JG Ginther on April 15, 2009 at 3:56pm

I just bought a used 601 XL and must say I feel like the stupidest person on the planet. I knew about the issues with the plane from my research but believed the cable tensioning was the fix. The plane has 346 hours and has been flow by multiple pilots without incident. The cables were inspected and tightened before purchase.

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Permalink Reply by JG Ginther on April 15, 2009 at 9:27pm

Thanks Doug - I have enjoyed it so far and fully intend to keep flying it until told otherwise. It will be great flying weather this weekend in Northern VA.

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