Strut Airworthiness Directive (AD) (merged VI)

[Buell Powell]

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

Thanks Forrest!

[Forrest Barber]

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

That is correct for the second time around in four years or more OR if new sealed struts are used then perhaps never.
BUT I still feel the NTSB will make the FAA see that the strut attach situation becomes an AD so the Owners will realize it is MANDATORY.
Yes Buell I have your list, spent two afternoons last week shipping stuff to guys that were grounded.

[Buell Powell]

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

Good point Forrest. I agree the fitting should be inspected with the struts removed. But if we can get it approved to inspect. and treat the struts on the plane and the fitting is a one time inspection then prehaps the next time the struts are due to be inspected we can do that on the plane. Just something I was considering about weather or not to by new ones or get them inspected.

[Forrest Barber]

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

Fogging has worked in the past, we did three struts on tests here in Alliance, YES it can work,
BUT what about the strut attach fittings. I now finally agree that the struts have to be off for that one. ALL in the air for discussion.

[Buell Powell]

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

I think it may be best to have it officialy on the approved list first. I think I may have posted before but I am sure you can remove only the upper strut bolts and inject thru the bolt holes.I would stop up the drain hole and pour in a quart and unplug the drain hole and re use what is drained on the rest of the struts. But again it needs to be an approved procedure so it doesn't come back to haunt someone.

[jstall]

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

Brian,
I spoke to Andy about injecting through the bolt holes without removing the struts completley before also. He indicated that it would be Ok if it were possible. I also asked about Tube Seal because in the description in my Aircraft Spruce cat. it states that it has the characteristic of climbing the tube wall and spreading over the entire surface& penetrates and reveals very small pin holes. It is used in fuselage tubing. He indicated this would be a good choice also-prehaps Tube seal could be added to the list of approved sealers?

Ok, well I'm going to order a quart or so of tubeseal, and use it then. Technically its not approved yet and that might cloud the issue, but I think my I.A. will go with it?? I"ve visited with several others and they also have used this, its a better product than the old tried and true linseed oil

js

[Buell Powell]

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

JS,

I have spoken to Andy on a few occasions and he seemed open to considering an AMOC for insecting the struts on-airplane. I have also spoken to several NDT facilities that say they have no problem doing this. What Andy will want to see is a written procedure for doing the linseed oil preservation with the struts on the plane. He and I discussed injecting the oil up through the drain hole (may not be feasible depending on size of hole) or injecting through the top of the strut. If your IA can write an acceptable procedure for this he very well may consider a new AMOC. There are no gurarantees but I think it is worth a shot if he can do it.

Keep us updated on your progress.

Brian
NJ

Brian,
I spoke to Andy about injecting through the bolt holes without removing the struts completley before also. He indicated that it would be Ok if it were possible. I also asked about Tube Seal because in the description in my Aircraft Spruce cat. it states that it has the characteristic of climbing the tube wall and spreading over the entire surface& penetrates and reveals very small pin holes. It is used in fuselage tubing. He indicated this would be a good choice also-prehaps Tube seal could be added to the list of approved sealers?

[btbell]

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

JS,

I have spoken to Andy on a few occasions and he seemed open to considering an AMOC for insecting the struts on-airplane. I have also spoken to several NDT facilities that say they have no problem doing this. What Andy will want to see is a written procedure for doing the linseed oil preservation with the struts on the plane. He and I discussed injecting the oil up through the drain hole (may not be feasible depending on size of hole) or injecting through the top of the strut. If your IA can write an acceptable procedure for this he very well may consider a new AMOC. There are no gurarantees but I think it is worth a shot if he can do it.

Keep us updated on your progress.

Brian
NJ

[jstall]

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

Hank, take a look at the AD on the FAA.gov site.

Last I read it they had to come off and I have no reason to think that part changed.

Dave

Andy is going to be in his office Monday, My I.A. is going to call and then follow up with a letter requesting the ultra sound be done with struts in place.
According to Tailwinds Insp, Tulsa, there is no reason to remove them for that test. Removing them increases the possiblity of damage to the attach fittings, and undue wear and tear on the airframe, no reason to do this if its not totally necessary. Just as the rest of the AD, these things were not thought thru fully before it got written.

JS

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

Can't the struts be removed and shipped to an approved inspection site? Or is it possible to inspect them without removal?

Hank Wehrli

Hank, take a look at the AD on the FAA.gov site.

Last I read it they had to come off and I have no reason to think that part changed.

Dave

[Hank Wehrli]

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

Can't the struts be removed and shipped to an approved inspection site? Or is it possible to inspect them without removal?

Hank Wehrli

[Robert Lees]

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

Hank, I've created a new thread for you.

I don't believe Pittsburgh PA has been covered before.

Rob

[Hank Wehrli]

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

Does anyone have a recommendation for who and where to get struts x-ray performed and what the cost is?

Hank Wehrli

[Forrest Barber]

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

That is correct, THEN we see about extending any of that IF the data shows an extension would be possible....

[Greg Bockelman]

Re: X-Ray = 4 years inspection interval?

Correct?

Thats the way I interpret it.