strut x-rays

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: strut x-rays

That would mean the FAA would have to admit they were scammed by Harry. Not likely to happen.

Hank

Someday we MIGHT be able to get a AMOC through to allow for the tension test, internal blast and seal, but it will be a long shot.

[Mark Julicher]

Re: strut x-rays

What follows here is NOT a defense of the strut fiasco nor of the Taylorcraft Factory, but it is first-hand information. So take it for what it is worth.

During the brief period that Taylorcraft was repairing planes in Lagrange, Texas, some struts came in that were corroded. To my knowledge, these were not from seaplanes in the Pacific Northwest. The struts were brought to Dr. Smith, proprietor of the Cal Lab at San Antonio, Texas. Dr Smith, now deceased, tested the struts and worked with the FAA to develop the corrective action in the AD. I saw the tested struts when Dr Smith had them. I questioned the use of Eddy Current and discussed that with Dr. Smith personally. I opined that Eddy Current was best for cracks. Now many of us submitted info during the comments period on the AD and the FAA apparently listened and adjusted their thinking somewhat because that was when the X-ray was added to the AD. Dr. Smith was totally against X-ray and insisted that Eddy Current was the way to go. I received an unsolicited 20 minute lecture on that subject.

My obvious brilliance and vast experience and Bachelors in engineering did not prevail against Dr Smith's PhD and years in NDI. I was dismissed with the sentence, "Someone that really knows Eddy Current can most certainly tell if there is rust in the struts…" End of discussion. It was like me holding a pair of threes against a full house.

Dr Smith died rather suddenly a few years ago and the Cal Lab was sold to another NDI specialist. The FAA has a PhD opinion to back up their decision and that PhD is no longer available. Decision made, bureaucrats happy, little or no recourse is available.

The pull test as put forward by Hank is way smart and totally definitive, but probably won't happen any time soon. It would make an excellent Alternate Means Of Compliance if we can ever get to the right person. The right person would be a government bureaucrat that is willing to open the old file and do extra paperwork… there might be someone like that somewhere.

'Nuf said. I liked Dr. Smith. The FAA reps were doing what they thought best,no matter if right or wrong, posterior is covered. Taylorcraft went under again and strut makers with better prices than the factory received a windfall.

[jstall]

Re: strut x-rays

Yep that would be correct. I found out about this scam by the help from a friend a DAR on the east coast that said he would
check in to Harry and Taylorcraft. After going thru his channels
in the FAA, he found this inspector was not inspecting and they had not had a formal inspection for a couple of years

this guy?? name with held, was in the scam eventually after going to a Oklahoma Senator into the FAA he inspector lost his job
the FAA offices out of FTW were furious with me and the Senator
bad things they said cause they had big egg on thier faces
but what next "NOTHING" THEY ARE NOT FOR US
not a good thing, the bitter taste is still lingering 3500.00 wasted still stings, I'm not very happy with the FAA.

Sad day for Taylorcraft and the owners of such a fine little airplane

JS

[jstall]

Re: strut x-rays

I wonder if enough of us would chime in on recending this AD
if it might be considered, by now though most have converted
to sealed units so it isn't as much of an issue as it once was

That would mean the FAA would have to admit they were scammed by Harry. Not likely to happen.

Hank

[astjp2]

Re: strut x-rays

I wont do it because I spent the money on the struts and it keeps the value of my airplane higher. It may seem petty but value is still a big concern when I can lower the value of a prebuy by 3~4K because of the recurring AD. Tim