Belite Aircraft, makers of the popular Chipper and Chipper 2 single-engine aircraft kits, said their facility on the northeast side of the air capital in Wichita was destroyed late Saturday night by fire. The blaze apparently began when “the dust collection system on our CNC router was working overtime making parts for kits,” according to James Wiebe, Belite’s president. The company offices and items taller than 6 feet above the ground were melted or burned, including raw inventory and a collection of parts for older aircraft designs on the second floor. Belite‘s Chipper demo aircraft only escaped destruction because it was still sitting at the local airport. Tragically, James and Kathy Wiebe’s two cats who lived at the factory did not survive the blaze.
Belite Aircraft Facility in Wichita Destroyed by Fire
Key Takeaways:
- Belite Aircraft's facility in Wichita was destroyed by a fire, which reportedly started in the dust collection system of a CNC router.
- The blaze resulted in the complete loss of company offices, raw inventory, parts, and a crucial working sample for an Air Force contract.
- While the company's Chipper demo aircraft was saved because it was at the local airport, two factory cats tragically perished in the fire.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
