An Icon A5 amphibious light sport aircraft has crashed killing the two on board on Monday morning, while flying over Lake Berryessa in Napa...
An Icon A5 amphibious light sport aircraft has crashed killing the two on board on Monday morning, while flying over Lake Berryessa in Napa County, northern California.
Two ICON employees, Jon Karkow, lead test pilot cum designer of the aircraft, and Cagri Sever were killed in the first fatal accident involving the highly acclaimed recreational aircraft.
The death of the lead test pilot can further delay the already delayed program, which was slated to commence customer deliveries later this year.
The mangled wreckage of the A5 was located in the shore of the lake, which is used as a flight training ground for the single engined two seat amphibious aircraft which can take off and land from water.
The crash marks the second mishap involving the type. On April 1, a A5 was damaged during a customer demo flight, making a hard water landing that broke the hull, partially sinking the aircraft.
The A5 has been considered one of safest aircraft in the category, with its spin and stall resistant design, forgiving flight characteristics, and the optional ballistic parachute recovery system.
Due to production problems, ICON was only able to produce 20 A5 aircraft in 2016, against a planed 175 aircraft. In 2017, company plans to produce 30 aircraft, and ramp up production to meet the 1,850 orders won.
Largely made of carbon fiber, the A5 has high wing design powered by a single Rotax 912 piston engine in pusher configuration rated at 75 kW, driving a three bladed propeller.
It features a Dornier inspired sponsons that provide stability while moving through water, which also houses the retractable undercarriage.
Since maiden flight in 2008, more than 20 ICON A5 aircraft has been manufactured, which have collectively clocked more than 3,500 flight hours.
