Today's Message Index:
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1. 04:42 PM - Main gear spacer failure -- a happy ending (ejessee)
2. 05:13 PM - Re: Main gear spacer failure -- a happy ending (Graeme@cole)
3. 05:15 PM - Re: Main gear spacer failure -- a happy ending (JohnDRead@aol.com)
Message 1
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| Subject: | Main gear spacer failure -- a happy ending |
Hello all,
On Saturday, I was able to replace the strut fitting along with new rubber spacers
from Zenith, I flew her 220 miles home. Thus ends what is most likely the
most stressful week I have had in aviation. I have included pictures... 1 picture
I left out earlier as I was ashamed and tied up on a lot of other emotions.
I have decided to share it. Maybe it will save someone's life.
I will predict a few quetions: No, the front gear is not bent. No, the prop didn't
hit.
I knew the supports were broken as I heard them break as I rotated to take off
from a very short private strip in Southwest Va. I could see the gear was hanging
crooked. I comforted my passenger and headed to the airport. She was clueless
untill I handed her a fire-extinguisher and asked she pray. When the
wheels touched, they folded back. They never came out of the channel and thus
the gear spring held the belly off the ground I never stopped the controlled
descent until she was scooting with the gear folded back. The only thing touching
the ground was the leading edge of the gear and the rudder horn. (I replaced
the horn). It wore the heads of the bolts holding the rudder cables and
did not put a scratch on the airplane. I keep saying that because I can't believe
it. Not a scratch.
I came out of this unhurt with my plane completely undamaged. I am absolutely
amazed. Other than a couple of nicks on the gear, there isn't a scratch on her.
I give God the glory for this one guys... not my pilotage.
I want to present a few questions:
1. how do I determine the bolts are tight enough on the gear.
2. Should the gear "give" at all when braking. Mine still does... Not much..
but maybe its not tight enough.
I want to thank you all for your help. You will see that I used your suggestions
during the work on Saturday. By the way, if you ever get a chance, stop in
to KJFZ. Those are some fine people.
--------
Ernest Jessee
N4931M
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=307972#307972
Attachments:
http://forums.matronics.com//files/0807101828_176.jpg
http://forums.matronics.com//files/0807101827_126.jpg
http://forums.matronics.com//files/0807101246_173.jpg
http://forums.matronics.com//files/img00004_20100730_1458_168.jpg
Message 2
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| From: | "Graeme@cole" <graeme@coletoolcentre.com.au> |
| Subject: | Re: Main gear spacer failure -- a happy ending |
As well as keeping an eye on the movement in you under carriage I see you
have a GSC propellor this is another thing you need to keep a close eye on.
Especially if it has ever been outside. Failures have happened and I think
500hrs replacement. any sign of movement corrosion of bolts etc replace
prop!
graemecns
----- Original Message -----
From: "ejessee" <eejessee@us.ibm.com>
Sent: Monday, August 09, 2010 9:41 AM
Subject: Zenith701801-List: Main gear spacer failure -- a happy ending
>
> Hello all,
> On Saturday, I was able to replace the strut fitting along with new rubber
> spacers from Zenith, I flew her 220 miles home. Thus ends what is most
> likely the most stressful week I have had in aviation. I have included
> pictures... 1 picture I left out earlier as I was ashamed and tied up on a
> lot of other emotions. I have decided to share it. Maybe it will save
> someone's life.
>
>
> I will predict a few quetions: No, the front gear is not bent. No, the
> prop didn't hit.
>
> I knew the supports were broken as I heard them break as I rotated to take
> off from a very short private strip in Southwest Va. I could see the gear
> was hanging crooked. I comforted my passenger and headed to the airport.
> She was clueless untill I handed her a fire-extinguisher and asked she
> pray. When the wheels touched, they folded back. They never came out of
> the channel and thus the gear spring held the belly off the ground I
> never stopped the controlled descent until she was scooting with the gear
> folded back. The only thing touching the ground was the leading edge of
> the gear and the rudder horn. (I replaced the horn). It wore the heads of
> the bolts holding the rudder cables and did not put a scratch on the
> airplane. I keep saying that because I can't believe it. Not a scratch.
>
> I came out of this unhurt with my plane completely undamaged. I am
> absolutely amazed. Other than a couple of nicks on the gear, there isn't
> a scratch on her. I give God the glory for this one guys... not my
> pilotage.
>
> I want to present a few questions:
> 1. how do I determine the bolts are tight enough on the gear.
>
> 2. Should the gear "give" at all when braking. Mine still does... Not
> much.. but maybe its not tight enough.
>
> I want to thank you all for your help. You will see that I used your
> suggestions during the work on Saturday. By the way, if you ever get a
> chance, stop in to KJFZ. Those are some fine people.
>
> --------
> Ernest Jessee
> N4931M
>
>
> Read this topic online here:
>
> http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=307972#307972
>
>
> Attachments:
>
> http://forums.matronics.com//files/0807101828_176.jpg
> http://forums.matronics.com//files/0807101827_126.jpg
> http://forums.matronics.com//files/0807101246_173.jpg
> http://forums.matronics.com//files/img00004_20100730_1458_168.jpg
>
>
>
Message 3
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| Subject: | Re: Main gear spacer failure -- a happy ending |
Hi Jesse;
Nice job on the repair. You are one lucky guy. To give an
opinion on your questions. I looked at the picture showing the urethane
blocks - I torqued the clamp nuts to 90 in. lb. on my plane, this compressed
the blocks a little. I would tighten the A3 bolts to the top limit of torque
for that size of bolt to allow for the drag of the nylon lock - 25 in. lb.
FWIW if you have the drawing set and other documentation for your aircraft
I think for a small charge you can get the factory support. The
construction standards are an excellent source of information.
do not archive
Regards, John
CH701 - Colorado - Jabiru 3300
Cell: 719-494-4567
Home: 303-648-3261
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