Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

[alwaysoar]

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

Also, in the 8 pages of this thread, the first mention of the "famous" drain hole, that I assume would be a critical item to check in any inspection of the fuselage fitting, does not appear in the thread before page 8 or anywhere else that I can find. Or is this an inside joke?

My displeasure with the way all this is going down notwithstanding, the pictures are worth a thousand confusing words.

[alwaysoar]

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

Yes, I've read the service letter, but where is the REVISED SL that will soon be an SB that Forrest said was in the 8 pages of this thread? That's not on Taylorcraft.com either.

[robbie]

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

The service letter has been posted here, and it's posted on the Factory web
site. The t-craft web site is doing a good job posting all the information about the fittings and struts letters.
Good job Tayorcraft, Now why don't you get your struts prices down a little so as poor folks can afford them.

[VictorBravo]

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

I mentioned tis before regarding a possible AD/SB solution for the lower fuselage, and I'd like to mention it again if it's OK with everyone...

Someone needs to come up with a fiberglass or Lexan plastic fairing or cover plate that fits around the lower strut fuselage fitting, so the fabric can be cut back an inch around this fitting for inspection.

It doesn't have to be a big swoopy fillet hand-hammered out of beer cans, it can keep the existing fuselage contour so the appearance of the airplane is not changed.

A swoopy fillet that covers the fitting and keeps water and dirt OUT of it ain't such a bad idea, though.

But either way it should be something that can come off with tape or screws or a spring-hook at annual time, and allow the fabric to be cut away for a clear view.

The cover has to have a good sized drain hole, and a "reverse scoop" so water and junk doesn't splash into the hole. a small screen can be glued in to keep bugs out.

My idea is to use a fiberglass or plastic frame that gets glued into the fabric before the fabric is cut away, same idea as an inspection hole ring when you're recovering.

I'll be glad to help do it, but there are probably better and faster craftsmen here than have a fuselage sitting in their shop they can use more easily.

[alwaysoar]

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

Surprise, not everyone can make it to Alliance to the fly-in! I have received no SL in the mail. If you don't belong to this Forum, how do you get the latest?

Frankly, I am very tired of oblique references to things only insiders know about. This club is a clique of insiders who can communicate in Forrest-speak, and the rest of us try to make sense of it all. I have read every posting in the 8 pages and I am offended by Forrest's sarcasm.


Ed@BTV VT
TF527

[Ragwing nut]

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

I have to go away a bit today, ECOPA stuff... I sold the Model A and have to gather up the stuff for new owner for tomorrow.

I think Wally Black is now trying to corner the market on "A" models. He already has a hanger full of Stearman projects. How much for a front and rear metal spar? I may have Wally bring it back for me. I have a pair of BC12-D metal spar wings and one wing has been ground looped. He lives about 30 miles from me. Not to far from Chet either.

Mike

[Forrest Barber]

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

Yes it is another of the numerous maintenance items we point out at each Fly-In for the past 35 years, the Taylorcraft lubrication sheet is used also.

This whole 8 page thread is about the Strut attach fitting that failed with a double fatality. READ it all and check for the revised SL that will be a SB this week!!

[alwaysoar]

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

Forrest referred to the "famous" drain hole. 1st time I heard of it. He also referred to an SB on the fuselage strut fitting; what SB? Please explain.

Ed@BTV VT
TF527

[Forrest Barber]

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

I have to go away a bit today, ECOPA stuff... I sold the Model A and have to gather up the stuff for new owner for tomorrow.

I did want to post one other photo regarding the strut attach fitting inspection, it is a typical fitting with fabric & paint that needs the fabric cut back a bit for inspection and the paint stripped too! Not a lot of work but well worth it!

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Strut AD alternate methods of compliance

Hopefully by tomorrow or Wed we will have more information.
The attach fitting situation is being made a standard thing to do during a 100 hr or Annual inspection to look for any corrosion or lack of maintenance.
I will make an attempt to post a couple more examples of bad fittings.
12 & 13 are bad. 2 & 3 are more normal with annotations.

Hopefully the factory site and our own web site will have things to look for during inspection, I think they are self evident, any mechanic should be able to spot a problem. Note the famous drain hole.

Then we see a couple of normal fittings that need to have paint and or fabric stripped back for more inspection . These are all courtesy of NTSB, FAA Andy McAnaul and the Taylorcraft factory Harry Ingram . I thank all who contributed. I will post my own inspections here in Alliance as we do them.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Strut AD alternate methods of compliance

We are revising both the AD and the Service Bulletin right now...... check for the latest and try to comply. Hopefully the attach fitting inspection will be very straight forward and fairly easy to do. My company next to me Acurion that came here is still working on the situation. Many members have found methods close to them. IF you have suspect struts & attach fittings, ( chance or evidence of corrosion) it may be best to do the strut off inspection and do the attach fitting at the same time.
Hopefully all will be final real soon, we are cutting it short but there was a lot to look at having two problems at once. THEN we need to look at the results of the inspections and perhaps extend the time of inspection. Recall Piper struts went to 5 years THEN we ahd two fatals ( as I recall) ... We are all in the same boat and only have safety in mind. Thanks for all the input, Bill Berle ( Victor Bravo) may recognize his wording in a bit of the inspection for the attach fitting SB, the factory was listening along with the FAA inspector McAnaul. I have formally commented direct to Andy MCanaul and will do so on the FAA docket now. The attempted attached photos show what to look for on the inspection , worst case first... others to follow. Maybe on the Factory site.

[lfries]

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

Forrest, can you provide a copy of the AMOC that allows struts on or do we each need to get a copy from the FAA.

[astjp2]

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

Soldering iron and burn it back, then it won't tear. Tim

[rcefird]

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

Been following all the input on both the struts and the fuselage strut fitting. Any of you guys have a photo of your strut fitting after trimming back the fabric? I would like to see how far this needs to be trimmed back. Also, after trimming, how do you recommend leaving it? Can I just trim back with a straight edge, or do I need to do the pinking? And afterwards can it be left that way for future inspections, or does it need further repair so as not to tear? (Obviously, I haven't done any fabric covering, I have only participated in a couple of fabric covering workshops and just know some of the basics).
Thanks for any photos and/or input.
Randy

[Forrest Barber]

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

I'm back!!!! we saved all the data & programs were able to clone the old drive. teleconference today at 3PM EST with the FAA engineer, we will discuss NTSB findings on the Wiley ship and many other matters . The strut on can be done, the attach fitting can be inspected if it was properly covered to begin with; however many will need fabric removal right in the area of the fitting. Keep the reports coming in of your findings out in the field.