West Star Aviation completes major structural FOD repair on Embraer Legacy 650E

Embraer FOD finished

10 September 2020 – West Star Aviation recently completed a major structural repair to an Embraer Legacy 650E fuselage. The project also included a new exterior paint scheme.

The FOD incident occurred as a result of metal objects being launched by a military helicopter landing next to the aircraft while in Peru.  The aircraft was evaluated and subsequently ferried to West Star’s full-service MRO facility in East Alton, IL for repairs.  West Star is an Authorised Embraer Base Maintenance Service and warranty provider for most models at its East Alton, Grand Junction, and Chattanooga locations.

“Significant structural damage occurred to the fuselage skin, frames, and ribs,” said Bob O’Leary, Embraer Business Development Manager.

Embraer Legacy 650E FOD puncture

“We coordinated closely with Embraer on the engineering required for the repair, along with the corresponding parts recommended,” O’Leary continued.

Embraer Legacy 650E FOD repair

“We are very grateful for all the effort during this complex process. I emphasise factors such as service, agility in responses and availability whenever necessary. Of course, unquestionable technical knowledge. Among all the options that were given to us where we would have to quickly decide who we were going to deliver our aircraft to, you accepted the challenge and besides the most important thing that after completing all the service we left with the certainty of having followed the best choice,” said S. Almeida.

In addition to its primary facilities in East Alton, IL; Grand Junction, CO; Chattanooga, TN; and Perryville, MO, West Star Aviation also maintains satellite facilities at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport in Aspen, CO; Chicago Executive Airport in Chicago, IL; Centennial Airport in Denver, CO; Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport in Houston, TX; Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport in Minneapolis, MN and Scottsdale Airport in Scottsdale, AZ. The company also provides complete FBO services for transient aircraft at its East Alton and Grand Junction facilities.