Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

[gnflyn]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

Ultrasound inspection done on 43752 struts this morning at airport, no corrosion found. As I understand I am now legal to fly, however, I want to pull struts and do corrosion protection treatment and fitting inspection at same time.
I have a concern based on all that has happened so far. Perhaps it might be wise to wait a bit in case fitting SB now out comes out as an AD that is different and I would have to pull struts all over. Any thoughts???

[Robert Lees]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

My understanding is that it may well become an AD. While your struts are off, this is a good time to comply with the Fitting SB (and get a sign-off in the logs to that effect).

Rob

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

Exactly; DO the SB on the Attach fitting with struts off and the strut inspection with struts off , record in aircraft maintenance records, rein stall if they pass ( a few more failed than I thought would fail ) use new hardware and if done according to the attach fitting SB & Strut AD ; then the possible future strut fitting AD will have been complied with by virtue of compliance with attach fitting SB.
THAT is why I have waited all this time to get it sorted out. Lots of struts will pass, probably all attach fittings too! Those that do not will have to be replaced and we now have sources. We are recording data too. The factory will record data. The future will tell.
Hi Rob , a spot of proper tea ( with milk) sure helps cure the winter blues here in Ohio!!

[gnflyn]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

Thanks for the input. I will do the corrosion treatment this week as well as the fitting SB, then cross my fingers that I am done.

[Greg Bockelman]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

There is so much chafe in this thread and not much wheat. Sorry. Rant off.

Can someone point me to the service bulletin for this? The one that is about 14 pages long and has pictures of the fitting?

Search brings up too much garbage.

[fearofpavement]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

There is so much chafe in this thread and not much wheat. Sorry. Rant off.

Can someone point me to the service bulletin for this? The one that is about 14 pages long and has pictures of the fitting?

Search brings up too much garbage.

Go to the taylorcraft factory site www.taylorcraft.com and it is there.

[Greg Bockelman]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

Thanks! That was what I was looking for.

[Greg Bockelman]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

Follow up questions.

As I read the SB, Part 1 calls for cleaning up the area around the fitting and doing what amounts to a very thorough visual inspection. IF there is any corrosion found, THEN part 2 comes into play. Clean up the corrosion and re treat the bare metal IAW the SB.

Is that about it? Am I missing something?

[astjp2]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

Basically yes, but let your mechanic handle it, its easier that way...Tim

[Greg Bockelman]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

Basically yes, but let your mechanic handle it, its easier that way...Tim

All it takes is money. But yes, you are right.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

NOW back to the attach fitting. YES comply with it according to the SB ; Lou & Dave Whitaker came up with a nice plate to go over the area where the fabric is cut away in case it is not a good time to patch with fabric.
I have a sample and Dave did a nice sketch that I could not find tonight on the home computer. Will find tomorrow OR Dave jump in and post here. that is .032 aluminum. The reason we think it may become an AD is to insure that we INSPECT that area. SB is not mandatory. THIS one ( IMHO) is.
I truly felt that we would not find the amount of bad struts that we have found so far
I hope it is not the same for the Strut Attach Fittings.

[flyguy]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

Probably be an AD to have it Xrayed (or radiographed with Balcorium X)
DC

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

what ever that is!!
WE have fought long and hard to keep it a visual inspection lets get the junk fuselages out of the system. They are out there passed along by greedy owners to unsuspecting buyers. IMHO it will remain a visual.
Make it a good one.

[flyguy]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

It's my phonetic version of the material used in the "Doomsday Machine" in the movie Doctor Strangelove, you know, about the B-52's. I thought all pilots knew that, LOL.
Yeah, being a young trusting newbie buyer I really got burned on my first BC12, so I agree with you on that point.
Darryl

[Frank DeBartolo]

Re: Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

My IA inspected my strut fittings per the latest service bulletin and told me that they were in great shape. Makes me feel good. He cut the fabric away from the fitting and reinforced it with another peice of fabric around where it was cut away. There is approximately a 3/4 inch opening all around the strut fitting. I guess it will keep the fitting area dry if left that way. Will this new fairing be needed or should I keep the fabric the way it is?

Frank D
N43684