Accident Involved Second Grob SPn Prototype

The aircraft destroyed was the second and newer version of the two prototypes. Before the crash, certification and customer deliveries of the $7.1 million, eight-passenger jet had been anticipated for the third quarter of 2007. Grob had expected that the aircraft would be certified for single pilot operation. So far, Grob has issued only a very brief statement confirming the crash and chief SPn test pilot Gerard Guillaumauds death. Grob CEO Niall Olver said a formal investigation of the crash will begin Thursday and would not comment on the impact it might have on the aircrafts development program. He had previously stated that the first two years production was sold out but did not release firm order numbers.