PC-21 Flight Ban Lifted– Series Production Under Way
(Source: Pilatus Aircraft; issued Jan. 24, 2005)
One of the two prototypes of the new Pilatus PC-21 crashed on Thursday, January 13, 2005. The accident claimed the life of Pilatus Aircraft’s chief test pilot; and a young woman who was close to the crash site when the accident happened was also seriously injured.
The accident occurred not during a test flight but in the course of a training flight in preparation for an air show. Pilatus is shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic event.
Immediately after the accident, the Swiss Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA) ordered the grounding of the remaining PC-21 prototype. This grounding has since been unconditionally rescinded, in view of the BFU’s findings to date. Further information on these actions is provided in the FOCA’s own media release of January 21, 2005:
The lifting of the FOCA’s flying ban means that there are now no restrictions in force on the PC-21’s operation. Pilatus received type certification for the PC-21 from the FOCA on December 23, 2004.
The remaining PC-21, registration HB-HZA, has so far been serving as the aerodynamic prototype in the PC-21 development program. This aircraft will now be brought up to the status of system prototype, and should return to flight operations in two months’ time.
Completion of the first series-production PC-21 has been brought forward: the aircraft concerned should be ready to fly by the end of August 2005. It will then be used to help secure the type’s IFR and autopilot certification.
“Series production of the PC-21 has already begun and will continue as planned,” says Oscar J. Schwenk, President & CEO of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. “Further series-production aircraft will be available from December 2005. Pilatus has lost time through this tragic accident. But the PC-21 program is not in any jeopardy. And there is currently no reason to make any technical modifications to the aircraft’s design.”
Pilatus has already been in further contact with potential PC-21 customers. In particular, discussions are continuing with Armasuisse on the procurement of the PC-21 for the Swiss Air Force.
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