Gear Stop Cable Failure

[swift1b]

As previously posted, I experienced a gear failure during an emergency landing in a farm pasture. The only damage was the collapse of the right landing gear. We installed a new gear last week and new bungee cords. We used the stop cable set up on the existing gear as a guide to route the stop cable on the new gear but immediately questioned the existing stop cable installation. I visited the foundation forum and discovered that the installation on our BC12D was not correct. The cable had been looped around the small tube at the top of the gear instead of being looped under the spool shapped bracket retainer for holding the shock cords. During touchdown in the pasture field this small tube was easily sheared by the stop cable allowing the gear to collapse. I am passing this along to share with the group because there may be other aircraft out there with improperly installed gear stop cables and to possibly prevent unnessary and costly damage. I have included photos of the gear as well as a photo of the incorrect stop cable installation on the existing gear. We plan to install new stop cables as indicated on the sketch posted by Hank. One more thing..the right wing contacted the ground and I would appreciate any insight was to what to look for as far as spar damage or other anomalies in the wing.
Thanks to all...bp

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Gear Stop Cable Failure

Did the tire impact the strut? Did the wing tip hit anything (ANYTHING! Even if there was no visible damage). If so, pull the wing bands and look at teh root ends of the spars for splits.
I would at least check the lower longeron where the gear attaches for any cracks or damage. Did the boot cowl contact the ground (pretty sure it must have). You will need to look at the tubes in the nose in the foot well. The damage to the Boot cowl should be pretty easy to straighten out, especially if you pull the engine, windshield and boot cowl
If the prop hit you will want to do a crank run out as a bare minimum. One nice thing about pulling the boot is you can get a REALLY good look at the controls, fuel system and back of the instrument panel. Best time in the world to do a proper lube of all the control components and you won't even drip lube in your face. Makes it REALLY easy to inspect the cables under there too.
Hank
I bet I picked up 5# of useful weight from all the JUNK that was between my floorboard and boot that I couldn't see from just pulling the floor boards at annual! You can't change the past! Might as well do some careful inspection while it is partly apart. TRY and think of it as fun. ;-(

[Robert Lees]

Re: Gear Stop Cable Failure

{snip}As previously posted,..{/snip}

Hello Swift...I must have missed your previous post, these cable failures are of interest to me.

{snip}...I have included photos..{/snip}

Again, not seen by me...can you point me to them?

Regards,
Rob

[M Towsley]

Re: Gear Stop Cable Failure

No photos either...

[swift1b]

Re: Gear Stop Cable Failure

Hank
Thank you for the information as to what to look for. I will try to attach the photos again because they did not go through on my last post.

bob

[swift1b]

Re: Gear Stop Cable Failure

Will try to attach photos one more time. I am using the "go advanced" link for the attachments.
bob

[TimHicks]

Re: Gear Stop Cable Failure

make sure the file size for the photos is not too large. I usually have to resize photos before I can post them on this forum.

[swift1b]

Re: Gear Stop Cable Failure

Tim

I tried evrything to no avail..
no luck..

[swift1b]

Re: Gear Stop Cable Failure

Rob
I am still trying to attach the photos but still unsuccessful.

[Howard Wilson]

Re: Gear Stop Cable Failure

Posted some pics on another thread but will put them here too. h

[Robert Lees]

Re: Gear Stop Cable Failure

I've sent a PM to swift1b to invite him to send me his photos by email to me so that I can post them on his behalf.

In the interim, I'll close the other threads to avoid confusion.

[Guest]

Re: Gear Stop Cable Failure

I have seen an actual t-craft drawing that shows the snare cable installation but I can't find it anywhere. :-(

I did find this one and its quite good and looks like the one that I can't find in terms of the cable routing.

Its from the Sept. 2005 TOC news letter.

Dave

[swift1b]

Re: Gear Stop Cable Failure

Dave

This is an excellent drawing! Thank you so much,,
It shows the correct locations for the cables being located on the same "saddles" provided/designed for the bungee shock cords. Routing of the cable different from what is shown on the sketch will not provide the strength required and the result will be a collapsed gear if the bungees breaks.
Regards, bob p

[swift1b]

Re: Gear Stop Cable Failure

Robert
I sent the photos.
Thanks for closing the threads.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Gear Stop Cable Failure

Here are swift1b's photos.

The originals were probably too large to post (there is a 250kb limit for jpgs)

Rob