24 November 2008
The two recent Cirrus Perspective accidents – one a loss of power after departure from Gloucester resulting in an off airfield landing, and one tragically claiming the life of Jersey businessman Alex de Gruchy when he ditched north of Cherbourg – have inevitably raised questions regarding the reliability of the Continental I0-550 in new Cirrus Perspective airframes.
Although both investigations are only just beginning, with final reports not expected for months, it seems that early signs are showing no link between the two accidents. While investigators continue to search for the cause of the power failure following take-off from Gloucester we understand that the engine, which along with the airframe has been recovered to the AAIB in Farnborough, has been successfully started and run.
Sources close to the de Gruchy investigation have also confirmed that the early reports of a Mayday call were made in error and that no Mayday call was received. The French coastguard who found the wreckage after a search in heavy rain stated that the debris was consistent with a high speed impact. Both Cirrus Design and Teledyne Continental are assisting with the investigations.
