Lift Strut Service Bulletin

[alwaysoar]

I've been away--wondering where the SB on lift struts has gone, and what the latest information is. Forrest was going to post some info when he got back from Sun n' Fun

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Lift Strut Service Bulletin

I am back! checking today .

[Dano"T"]

Re: Lift Strut Service Bulletin

When does this take effect? I've received nothing from the factory or the FAA. I can assure you there won't be anyone in close proximity to me set up to do eddy current tests or ultrasonic tests......I heard mention of a borescope.....what are everyones thoughts on this?....can you share you expertise with us laymen....If we are writting to the FAA.....what do we suggest as alternatives? You A&P's and IA's give us something to hang our hat on. Please. I have 4 T-crafts....could be EXPENSIVE for me....I'm willing to do something that makes sense...but the Service Bulletin is worded to promote factory new struts to eliminate bi-annual inspections.....

[fearofpavement]

Re: Lift Strut Service Bulletin

When does this take effect? I've received nothing from the factory or the FAA. I can assure you there won't be anyone in close proximity to me set up to do eddy current tests or ultrasonic tests......I heard mention of a borescope.....what are everyones thoughts on this?....can you share you expertise with us laymen....If we are writting to the FAA.....what do we suggest as alternatives? You A&P's and IA's give us something to hang our hat on. Please. I have 4 T-crafts....could be EXPENSIVE for me....I'm willing to do something that makes sense...but the Service Bulletin is worded to promote factory new struts to eliminate bi-annual inspections.....

Keep in mind that while inspecting the lift struts in detail is certainly prudent and could be a life saver, Service Bulletins for part 91 operators are not required to be complied with. Only if this becomes issued as an AD by the FAA is compliance "required". Service Letters, Service Instructions, Mandatory Service Bulletins, and so forth are all good sources of information and certainly require consideration, but they do not become law until they are referenced in an Airworthiness Directive. I assume not too many of the T-craft Tribe are operating commercially but if you have the aircraft on a 135 certificate, then service bulletin compliance is required in most cases. Insurance carriers also sometimes are interested in compliance as well.

[Dano"T"]

Re: Lift Strut Service Bulletin

I see.....so the little blurb on the top right corners says: Taylorcraft CONSIDERS complience manditory.....key word Considers

[VictorBravo]

Re: Lift Strut Service Bulletin

I see.....so the little blurb on the top right corners says: Taylorcraft CONSIDERS complience manditory.....key word Considers

I hate to be a fly in the ointment, but REGARDLESS of who or why it happened, it might be a good idea to do a good basic inspection. The Piper ice-pick test, or a mbile X-ray test or something would not hurt in terms of 60 year old airplanes.

[fearofpavement]

Re: Lift Strut Service Bulletin

I hate to be a fly in the ointment, but REGARDLESS of who or why it happened, it might be a good idea to do a good basic inspection. The Piper ice-pick test, or a mbile X-ray test or something would not hurt in terms of 60 year old airplanes.

Bill, I don't think anyone would disagree with that. So, you are NOT being a fly in the ointment. (this time)There are a variety of ways to ensure that the strut is sound. If one doesn't have access to the particular type of non-destructive testing referenced in the service bulletin and chooses to use some other means of creating confidence in the integrity of the aircraft I was just pointing out that a issuance of a service bulletin doesn't necessarily need to change their vacation plans or cancel the down payment on the new house. And 60 years certainly is a long time for a piece of steel to be in service... The results of a structural failure would be catastophic under nearly any scenario so let's keep looking these aircraft over thoroughly so we can find out about maintenance concerns on this forum and not out of the newspaper.

[barnstmr]

Re: Lift Strut Service Bulletin

I did a search on the FAA service difficulty reports website. Only one report had anything to do with struts and it was about the jury strut adjust threads.

I heard an unsubstantiatiated rumor through an FAA source that the hubub is about a wing-fold incident or crash that was reported. Does anyone have any knowledge of this?

Certainly these old airplanes need to be inspected for this. But is an AD warranted? We all need to be researching and asking our FAA folks to update us.

[barnstmr]

Re: Lift Strut Service Bulletin

UNIVAIR STRUTS - For whatever it is worth... my father-in law's BC65 has univair wing struts. They seem to be well made, and heavier than the original BC65 struts. The one on the right side continually seeps linseed oil. Keeps the step kinda sticky... hard to clean. But this gives me a warm fuzzy that there is plenty of corrosion inhibitor.

[Len Petterson]

Re: Lift Strut Service Bulletin

Is where a Servis bulletin what say I can drill a hole in the top and
re - intoduse a rust inhibitor. Linseed oil or CRC etc.
Len

[Dano"T"]

Re: Lift Strut Service Bulletin

I'm all for inspections...I just want options....the service bulletin leaves only 2 options neither of which is readily accessible to me at least...

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Lift Strut Service Bulletin

I did a search on the FAA service difficulty reports website. Only one report had anything to do with struts and it was about the jury strut adjust threads.

I heard an unsubstantiatiated rumor through an FAA source that the hubub is about a wing-fold incident or crash that was reported. Does anyone have any knowledge of this?

Certainly these old airplanes need to be inspected for this. But is an AD warranted? We all need to be researching and asking our FAA folks to update us.

You should be able to find the accident report on the FAA website if so.

Mike

[barnstmr]

Re: Lift Strut Service Bulletin

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/query.asp

I have searched here. Almost all of the accidents were ground control issues or pilot error/bad decision. I have found nothing related to wing strut failure.

[barnstmr]

Re: Lift Strut Service Bulletin

http://www.asias.faa.gov/pls/portal/PORTAL.wwa_app_module.show?p_sessionid=39383

Another database to search.

[tawadc95]

Re: Lift Strut Service Bulletin

love my univair struts...no more worries are worth the money