FAA considers fine against Cessna for structural malfunction
September 27, 2011, 06:48 pm
According to Canadian Skies, the Federal Aviation Administration is considering imposing a $2.4 million fine against the airplane manufacturer Cessna for a structural failure a FAA test pilot experienced when performing an evaluation flight in a Cessna Corvalis.
Cessna, an established name in general aviation aircraft, produces a number of general use airplanes in addition to the Corvalis, a four seat, single engine airplane.
During a test flight in December of 2010, a seven foot section of the skin on the left wing of the Corvalis separated from the wing's spar, a structural component of the fuselage. The wing failure damaged a fuel tank, the source noted.
FAA officials are investigating the safety and quality control practices at the Chihuahua, Mexico, plant that manufactured the problematic component, which is made of a composite material that composes much of the Corvalis' body.
While the FAA has stringent guidelines in place to ensure that airplane production is held to a high standard, pilots generally insure themselves with the proper insurance coverage to protect themselves and their aircraft against the unique risks that come with aviation. Often, general insurance policies don't insure against common flight risks, and many pilot groups offer pilot insurance policies at discounted rates that come with membership.
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