Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bob Simmons on October 4, 2022 at 9:19pm

Well, once upon a time in Brandon, MS.....

Might help if you tell us what 'story' you're looking for, or to what video you're referring. Gary hasn't posted here in four years, which might kind of make sense considering his 801 aircraft registration apparently was cancelled by the FAA in 2020. Last time FlightAware saw him was on May 28, 2019 at the Zenith factory in Mexico, MO. My guess is he's no longer flying, or just no longer flying that aircraft.

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Permalink Reply by Guy Zindel on October 4, 2022 at 9:43pm

So that yellow and blue 801 in the spin test video was his. Supposedly it had the chute deployed, and it was a complete write off. I was hoping to hear the whole story from him or someone at zenair.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Simmons on October 5, 2022 at 4:08pm

Have you tried sending him a message? Although he hasn't posted, he might still get email notification if you send a message via his page here. Otherwise, there's always snail mail.

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Permalink Reply by Guy Zindel on October 5, 2022 at 5:31pm

I’ll be in touch with him shortly. 

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Permalink Reply by Guy Zindel on October 6, 2022 at 4:42pm

Turns out the aircraft was involved in a testing accident. Total write off because the wind dragged the recovery chute after landing. 

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Permalink Reply by Matt Hoecker on February 21, 2023 at 7:00pm

I'd like to know more about what happened as well.  Obviously it's a little unnerving when a plane goes down, but it also is important to learn from mistakes.  Was it an unrecoverable spin?  Was it a structural failure?  Was it something that was likely unique to the Super Duty design or was it something we need to be aware of with our 801/801HDs?

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