CESSNA PLANES GROUNDED

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27670, 28 May 1955, Page 6

CESSNA PLANES GROUNDED

Inquiry Into Failure Of Undercarriages

USE FOR FARM TOPDRESSING

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 27.

Fifty Cessna aircraft used for topdressing in New Zealand were grounded today for inspection. The Director of Civil Aviation (Mr E, A. Gibson) said tonight that the order for inspection was a sequel to the failure of the undercarriages of four of the aircraft since their recent introduction in New Zealand. It was hoped to complete the inspection tomorrow. When the Cessnas were again operating, they would not be allowed to carry the agricultural overload, but would be restricted to their normal passenger load, said Mr Gibson. The undercarriage failures had occurred after the aircraft had been operating for between 300 and 1200 hours. The Cessna was regarded as a good and reliable aircraft for the purpose for which it was produced—an executive plane for the carriage of passengers over medium distances, he said. Working under those conditions, it would probably land and take off once every 90 minutes throughout its working life. On topdressing work, however, it would have to land and-take off once every four or . five minutes. Thus in a topdressing life of 3po to 1200 hours, the undercarriage would receive treatment equivalent to that in 6000 to 24,000 hours’ normal operations, Mr Gibson said. It was hoped to find the cause of the failures quickly, as the delay to the 18 operators of the aircraft would cause inconvenience and expense, he said.