Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

[tabranch]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD)

The "real reason" for removing the struts is because the AD staes "Follow....Service Bulletin..."

[DannyDot]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD)

I just talked to Andy McAnaul of the FAA. He didn't see any real reason the stuts can't have the NDT testing done while on the plane. He pointed out the AD doesn't call for removing the stuts -- the SB does. I am going to send in a comment to the FAA recommending an on the plane NDT be allowed. With an on the plane inspection, we could have a fly-in to a guy that knows what he is doing and get many planes done in a day or a weekend. Perhaps many of us could make this comment to the FAA. I think on plane inspections would make this AD much easier to live with. The AD contains information on how to send in comments.

We also talked about the possibility of a fitting inspection AD coming out. Based on my conversation with him, this go around I am going to pull the stuts and give the fitting area a good inspection. He recommended cleaning the fittings and where the fittings attach to the fuselage all the way to bare metal. This will very likely require some fabric work. This might become an AD in the not too distant future.

He did comment that the plane with the recent fitting failure was a float plane and this was probably a factor in its fitting getting corroded to failure. In my case my plane is new to me and I have reason to believe it sat unused for years before its recent recover. I am going to give my fittings a good inspection just to make sure they are OK. While the stuts are off, I am going to give everything I can see a good visual inspection for corrosion.

Two years from now I hope to do a simple on the plane inspection at a fly-in somewhere.

Danny Deger

[astjp2]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD)

If you want to build your own struts under 21.303b2, you would have to get a 337 and the required engineering data to prove they meet the same spec as the Factory parts. or no dice on getting them approved, its more money for the data than to just buy the part. There is nothing about the END CAP, the reason to remove the struts is to prevent false indications. Tim

[astjp2]

Re: How to Find Out Which Struts

They are probably covered by paint....

[wlas]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD)

Whats the deal, why can't we get them inspected the same as I do all the time on cubs, using x-ray, the guys come out and do it right on the plane for 175.00 and then they tell me what the thickness of the strut is and if there is any places that are rusted. I've got a F-19 in the hangar right now and thought I was done with the annual, now I've got to deal with this or have the guy come back. I've had t- craft struts x-rayed before, just to see if they would past and they did, the wall thickness on T-crafts are heavier, than cubs, but I been thinking its only a matter of time before this would happen. I guess I'll call the testing guys and ask them if they can do this type of testing, I've had T-craft owners calling me all day to find out what to do.

[tabranch]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD)

The AD as written does not alllow on aircraft testing.

[cvavon]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD)

i spoke to a man in nashville today he does NDT on aircraft only said he will get copies of AD AND SB and get back this week end said cost wood be about $300.00 and will do it on airplane he will travel also my thoughts were to get a grupe together neer nashville and he said that wood cut cost oh by the way this man is also a repair station and ap/ai and did the devilopment of the test for the spars on t34s

[N96337]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD)

I would then also offer that we send through the strut a fat mouse heavily coated in petroleum jelly... but maybe I'm building a "less than better mouse trap" with that suggestion. Although this seems akin to cleaning a rifle barrel. A big damn swab on a string makes sense... or am I now officially losing it. I can supply the mice once the first freeze chases all of them indoors. I'm not looking for the cheapest fix... but I'd like a real fix that made sense and gave me a feeling of security. I hate flying along and being jumpier than say, a vaselined mouse on a string.
With regards;
ED OBRIEN

Thanks Ed, I needed that!!!hahahahha
JH

[DanBrown]

Re: How to Find Out Which Struts

Much thanks -- that is very helpful!!

Re: How to Find Out Which Struts

I haven't been able to find the drain holes in the trailing edge of my struts, and doubt they are newer sealed struts. Is there any positive identification of the part number of older struts? Thanks in advance for any help.

Look at the rear strut- is the adjusting tube hollow or does it have a cap welded on the end so it looks solid? Hollow means not sealed.

Take the top bolt out the front strut, look in the strut bolt hole. Is it a straight thru hole thru a sleeve or can you access the middle of the strut tubing from the bolt hole, ie no sleeve around the bolt. If you can access the tubing center from the hole its not sealed. Use a pice of safety wire as a test probe.

[midniteflyer52]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD)

For the Northeast/ New England Tribe Members,

I have contacted a company by phone that believes that they can do the NDT (ultrasound) on the struts. Price given, about $500 per set (4) delivered to the company site for testing in the Providence, RI area. My company uses this outfit for failure analysis and they know their stuff. I am, as of this writing, faxing the AD to them for further review. More details posted as I get them.

Regards to all,

Glen Brodeur
Putnam, CT

[DanBrown]

How to Find Out Which Struts

I haven't been able to find the drain holes in the trailing edge of my struts, and doubt they are newer sealed struts. Is there any positive identification of the part number of older struts? Thanks in advance for any help.

[Gary Snell]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD)

FYI, I talked to Wag-Aero/Safe-Air today and they will be making the sealed struts. Now working on the PMA. Price on their current stock for unsealed struts is $560 each, but they couldn't quote the sealed. Said to check back in 3 weeks.

[tabranch]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD)

If I had numbers like that, and believed them, I might not have ordered the SK100 Strut kits! The quote I received for only eddy current testing at the NDT facility was $420 per plane, doesn't leave much for removal, installation and inspection.

[DannyDot]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD)

I just talked to my mechanic and have good news. He can pull the struts, take to the shop for NDT, and replace in a day. Total cost about $350 dollars.

I do plan to wait to see what AD might come out on the fitting so I can get it all done at the same time. Anybody contact the FAA on the possibility of a fitting AD coming out?

Danny Deger