Entire Elixir fleet remains grounded as investigators probe flap separation
The entire fleet of about 60 Elixir aircraft remains grounded as investigators work to determine why a wing flap detached from one of the two-seat airplanes before a crash that killed two company pilots in France.
France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) said in an October 8, 2026, update that the aircraft’s left flap separated during the final turn toward Runway 12 at Rochefort-Charente-Maritime Airport (RCO) on October 1, 2026.
The pilot lost control, and the aircraft’s emergency parachute was activated at low altitude before it struck the ground.
The crew was conducting a production test flight from La Rochelle. After completing two circuits at Rochefort, one of the pilots announced a low-altitude circuit, according to the BEA. The flap detached during the final turn of that circuit.
The BEA identifies the aircraft as F-WZAG, serial number 065.
Elixir Aircraft said in an October 8 statement that investigators had not established why the flap detached. The manufacturer said it was continuing to assist the BEA.
The company issued an alert service bulletin on October 2 calling for all affected aircraft to remain grounded from October 3 until further notice. Elixir described the decision as a precaution affecting about 60 aircraft operated in five countries.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) followed with an emergency airworthiness directive issued on October 2 and put into effective the following day. It applies to all Elixir aircraft, regardless of serial number, and prohibits flight operations.
EASA said additional action might be needed to ensure the aircraft could continue to operate safely. It described the grounding as an interim measure pending more information from the investigation.
Based in La Rochelle, Elixir Aircraft produces composite light aircraft for flight training and private flying. The aircraft received EASA certification in 2020 and FAA certification in 2025.The post Entire Elixir fleet remains grounded as investigators probe flap separation appeared first on AeroTime.
The entire fleet of about 60 Elixir aircraft remains grounded as investigators work to determine why a wing…
The post Entire Elixir fleet remains grounded as investigators probe flap separation appeared first on AeroTime.
