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January 7, 2000, New Piper experienced an unfortunate incident involving an unplanned, off-airport landing of a Malibu Meridian prototype aircraft on Friday, January 7, 2000. The Meridian involved, N403MM, is one of four flying prototypes that are dispatched several times a day and subjected to a demanding and extensive battery of tests. A series of these tests, with which N403MM is tasked, is intended to quantify the unusable fuel remaining in the wing fuel tanks. To accommodate this, an auxiliary fuel tank is installed in the cabin strictly for flight test purposes only, and is not part of the production aircraft configuration. The test procedure calls for flying the aircraft in various attitudes and configurations until the first indication of fuel depletion occurs, then switching to the auxiliary fuel tank and thereby restoring fuel. |
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In this particular incident, the auxiliary fuel tank failed to provide fuel, resulting in an engine flameout. The aircraft was forced to make an emergency, gear up landing on the median of Interstate 95 in the Ft. Pierce, Florida area. No injuries occurred to the two flight crew members or anyone on the ground. Damage to the aircraft is minimal. The underside of the fuselage and wings sustained minor structural damage, the propeller blades were damaged, and the engine will undergo a precautionary examination by the manufacturer.
Incidents such as this are not uncommon in full certification test programs. Piper's recognition of such risks was a factor in our decision to employ four flying prototypes in the Meridian program. Our engineering and flight test teams are working diligently to return N403MM to service. New Piper does not anticipate a delay in the flight certification program. Meridian deliveries remain on schedule to begin this summer.
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