Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

[O.Taylor]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged V)

I have a question that I haven't seen addressed thus far. According to the AD, item (1), it says to "visually inspect for corrosion and cracking in the lower 12 inches of lower left and right front lift struts...and aft lift struts".

But, nothing is mentioned about who must do the inspection. Is that inspection something that an owner can do if not stated otherwise? I have carefully inspected my struts and find absolutely no hint of corrosion or cracking. All of them ring like bells. So, can I sign off on my log books as having done the visual part of the inspection? Anyone know?

I wrote an inspection manual for a C-46 under the Hillsboro FSDO, and the PMI told me to use the words "check" where ever a pilot was doing the looking, as in pre-flight, but use the word "inspect" where it would be signed off by a certified mechanic, this can change at any FSDO, hope this may help some, best to you, O.T.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged V)

Lloyd, you asked the question, and in replying, I infer no rebuke to you in my response, which is to the readership at large. I hope you will accept that I am not having a dig at you:

The X by "Other: TFI" indicates the Taylorcraft Foundation Inc was in receipt of the original Airworthiness Concern Sheet (ACS). This was duly and in a timely fashion promulgated to the Taylorcraft Foundation members (i.e. here on this bulletin board on 14 April 2007).

There is little else that the Taylorcraft Foundation (and general Taylorcraft fraternity) could have done to further promulgate this received information. I don't know whether the FAA mailed the ACS to the many FAA-registered Taylorcraft owners. It was not sent to me here in the UK via the UK CAA authority. In posting it upon this Foundation Bulletin Board, the Foundation has undertaken "due diligence" in disseminating this information to its membership.

It might not have been unreasonable for the FAA to have also passed on the AWC to others (including AOPA and EAA, who were also on the FAA's own distribution list). As to why they were not included aught to be addressed to the FAA.

All in all, the TFI did receive it and disseminate it in a timely manner to the membership.

(no apologies here for my amateur legal terminology used. In plain English: We got it, so you got it darn quick. You no hear.)

Just a last note:

The FAA Engineer is listening. He WANTS to hear our input. He is not our foe; he is doing his best for everyone...the aircraft owners; the TC holder AND the public (that's passengers, to you & me). Give him some credit for trying to balance all the various issues he has to deal with. Give him your thoughts, he has to listen to all bases. But he cannot deal with hearsay, rumour and conjecture. Tell him wat you think and know via the approved channels (which are on the Announcement at the top of every page on this forum.

For the record, and I know Lloyd knows this, because he's kindly allowed me to fly his plane in California, but just for the record, I'm a USA TF member, and USA EAA member, a USA VAA member, and I've only heard of (these) FAA issues because owning a USA-built aeroplane in England has meant that I feel the need to be kept abreast of USA aviation issues.
The UK CAA, and in turn the UK PFA (very roughly equivalent to the EAA) and European AOPA have as yet not declared any knowledge of (these) safety issues. So until they do, I am keen to prevent them from "rubber-stamping" the FAA AD.

[Fred Johnson]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged V)

I spoke with Dan Nation @ Reeve Air Motive 2424 E. 5th Ave, Anchorage Alaska 99501. (907-272-8522 Phone / 907-272-8524 fax). he is a distributor for Airframes Inc. Big Lake AK. www.supercubs.com. He said that the new taylorcraft struts should be PMA'd in the next three weeks. They will be using the same size/cross section/streamline profile and material as his super cub struts. projected price at this time is $1800 per ship set (4) including jury strut clamps that will fit his struts. Or $450/strut for individual. Shipping approx $125 to the lower 48 via Fed Ex. Sorry Rob.
Cheers.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged V)

Sorry Rob

Fred, if the worse comes to the worse, can you hand-deliver 5 sets in your crew luggage?

Long time no hear.

[Fred Johnson]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged V)

They say if you can get through the Xray machine you can carry personal items back. Its almost worth the comedy to try it. Have a pint for me!

[Guest]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged V)

I have a question that I haven't seen addressed thus far. According to the AD, item (1), it says to "visually inspect for corrosion and cracking in the lower 12 inches of lower left and right front lift struts...and aft lift struts".

But, nothing is mentioned about who must do the inspection. Is that inspection something that an owner can do if not stated otherwise? I have carefully inspected my struts and find absolutely no hint of corrosion or cracking. All of them ring like bells. So, can I sign off on my log books as having done the visual part of the inspection? Anyone know?

Yes I know the answer.

The owner is responsible to have this addressed on his airplane by a certificated airframe (A) or airframe & powerplant (A&P) mechanic.

If you do not hold a current airframe rating or airframe & powerplant rating you are not authorized to comply with this or any other AD.

What does that mean? Well you can look and inspect all you want but you cannot sign any portion of this AD as complied with.

Neither can you remove or replace struts etc.

You need to find an A or A&P to take care of this.

Perhaps your A or A&P mechanic may agree to supervise you doing some of the work, he can do that.

The reason nothing is mentioned about who can do the work in the AD is because part 43, 65 and 91 layout the reponsibilities and authorities. When ADs are issued it is assumed that owners and mechanics know their responsibilty and authority already.

Its a good question and many owners are unaware of the responsibilities and limitations.

Give part 65 D a read, also part 43 and its appendix A, part 91.417, 91 part E. exciting!

You do really need to know that stuff.

Nobody tells you that when you buy a plane, they just verify your method of payment!

Dave

[lfries]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged V)

Rob
Non Rebuke taken well. I apparently didn't know what it all meant at
that time. Re an FAA employee trying to do the right thing I hope your right.
I know several very competent IA's who wouldn't agree. I did work 30 years for the Fed's so I know there are a few employees who recognize that they are public servants.

[Greg Bockelman]

Strut AD compliance

I just had part 1 of the strut AD done. Well, almost. One of the forward struts does not have the drain hole in it at the bottom of the strut. It does not appear that it was just painted over. Does that mean it is a sealed strut? How can I tell if a strut is a sealed strut? Also how can I comply with the AD if in fact that strut is NOT a sealed strut but just does not have the hole in it?

[DannyDot]

Re: Strut AD compliance

I just had part 1 of the strut AD done. Well, almost. One of the forward struts does not have the drain hole in it at the bottom of the strut. It does not appear that it was just painted over. Does that mean it is a sealed strut? How can I tell if a strut is a sealed strut? Also how can I comply with the AD if in fact that strut is NOT a sealed strut but just does not have the hole in it?

I have the same "problem". I apparently have sealed struts, but nothing in the log books. I have a phone call into the FAA engineering working the AD to see if a visual inspection proving the struts are sealed is good enough to not have to do further NDT. This time around we did an eddy current and they all passed.

Danny Deger

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Strut AD compliance

I have the same "problem". I apparently have sealed struts, but nothing in the log books. I have a phone call into the FAA engineering working the AD to see if a visual inspection proving the struts are sealed is good enough to not have to do further NDT. This time around we did an eddy current and they all passed.

Danny Deger

If you can visually determine the struts are sealed then you should be able to terminate the AD on that strut. It will still apply to any others that are vented

Mike

[tabranch]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

Some front struts have no drain hole on the bottom but are not sealed at the top..take care!

[Greg Bockelman]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

Some front struts have no drain hole on the bottom but are not sealed at the top..take care!

Ok, then how do you comply with the initial inspection on the AD?

[tabranch]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

Comply with the AD except for "Clean the drain hole using safety wire or an equivalent thin gauge probe and observe any indications of internal rust" . Notice that the inspection criteria "If any signs of corrosion, cracks, blistered paint, pitting, etc. of the lift strut material is observed, or, if during the removal and installation of the lift struts for other maintenance loose rust is heard or discovered inside the lift struts, perform Part 2 of these instructions prior to further flight" doesn't rely on the hole.

The sticky part is what to do with the struts once the new ones I ordered from the factoy arrive!

[stormman]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

Well if your REAL sure they are in good shape and they look like new . You could keep the front ones and oil and seal them and use them in case you should damage a sealed front strut. Pretty hard to seal the rears though.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

Keep your old struts to support your wings while you do all the "off plane" inspections to your "good" ones. If you are uncomfortable with that, let me know. I'll take any "unsafe" struts anyone has. If nothing else, I'll proof load them and use the material for other projects. As for liability, once I have them, they are considered "scrap steel". You are off the hook as to how I use them.
Hank

I'm SERIOUS, DO NOT destroy the old struts!