Fuselage strut fitting - FAA Airworthiness Concern Sheet (merged)

[cpirrmann]

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

Just FYI, I was able to see my fittings very clearly from inside, under the seat. Visual inspection shows OK.

[whake]

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

I visually inspected the fittings as well as the struts followed by an inspection by the IA that signs off my plane. They look great and would pass any practicle inspection. I ordered new struts from the factory. The cost of the inspection every two years here in Venice FL justifys replacement. I hope that the Taylorcraft factory meets their committments.

[Forrest Barber]

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

Digital X-Rasy done with struts on as an experiment. The results show that removal of the struts may be necessary, still evaluating. I do know that the strut attach insepction will need strut removal, am still waiting to post a complete report. My computer at the airport had a hard drive crash, probably results of a electric strike. Lost two days , using the one at home on Wed. afternoon.

[btbell]

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

Forrest,

Was the digital x-ray done with the struts on or off the airplane?

Brian

[Forrest Barber]

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

The Wiley airplane was a mix & match ship as are many others out there in the field. I would like to see the ser# on the fuselage.....
WE did the Digital Radiography today here in Alliance on a BC12D , a clipped wing BC12D , and a F-22 fuselage. The strut inspection was very easy and straightforward with positive results for showing any problems.

The attach fitting is another subject, we had to remove step, landing gear,& struts I truly believe that the good visual inspection method is the best followed by this method if any problems are detected. More soon, I have the images to review and they have to write the procedure for any attempt at the AMOC. The struts are one issue and the attach fitting is another.
We are finding reports of bad struts upon inspection so get ready out there to replace some struts. I will call the FAA & the factory tomorrow.

[barnstmr]

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

I should add one more question that I asked Mr. Perez before Mark J. showed up was as follows.

Q: Does it seem likely that there will be an A.D. on the fitting.
A: At this time it is not planned.

Joe went on to discuss how the Wiley airplane was an isolated incident due to several reasons. One was that it had not been well maintained or inspected. Another was that it was operated as a Seaplane. So I was encouraged to note that the FAA at least understands that the type of operation has a significant bearing on this.

Joe also stated that one of the other factors in this particular airplane (Wiley) was that it's specific model is not on the same TC as the other BC models. In fact, the FAA has been unable to track down the TC holder (it is essentially an abandoned TC). I showed Joe a letter from Mrs. Ferris stating that the BF, BC, BL airplanes were identical fuselage. But this is of no value to FAA at this point until they are able to actually see the TC data in order to confirm that it hasn't been revised since the Ferris days. The task of trying to locate this TC data and transfer it from the northeast ACO has fallen on Andrew McAnaul to do. Until this is done, they have no link they can use to issue any AD against the other B series models.

[Robert Lees]

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

Regarding the strut fitting inspection, Mark Julicher wrote in this post on the Strut Airworthiness thread:

...an inspection of the fleet may be called for..

Now that would be a sensible action to the Strut Fitting Inspection question. A one-off inspection, with the results reported to the FAA so that they can assess the extent of any fleet-wide problem.

Rob

[Forrest Barber]

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

We had the visit here in Alliance at 2D1 today from Michael Cooper & Darrin Vaughan from the Acuren Company. www.acuren.com . they bought out
usinspections that I had contacted first up here in NE Ohio for NDT.
They took one look at the situation and are going back to the office to start develop the procedure etc. for a Digital Radiology test that may allow us to look at the strut ends and the attach fitting same as Bill Berle had done on the West Coast. Acuren is all over the country even Alaska doing work on big ships, pipelines, NASA etc. They have Repair stations all over.

Sorry to move so slowly but myself , the factory, other STC holders and other experts along with the the FAA engineer McAnaul are considering many things. Mr. Ingram & I have talked quite a bit too!

I do not know if this is for release but since we are such a small group I hope we can work together. I have been told that the NTSB report on the Wiley accident is forthcoming, Mr. McAnaul is re visiting and considering the Maule test and to maybe extend the time situation if results of pre-liminary testing show a lot of good struts. I will be away tonight & early tomorrow. More then. thanks Forrest
Bill I will comment on your procedure directly to you.

[tawadc95]

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

Lfries,
there is an out fit in Sac that does ndt. I don't know all they are approved on but they take care of the ndt's at a friends shop. It is the west states beechcraft repair and warranty station.
Let me know if you are interested in the name and I will ask for you.
Chris

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

Alternative Method of Compliance.
Here is what he said
The only AMOC granted to date is to Univair stating that installation of
their Part Number UA-A815 and UA-A845 sealed struts in BC12-D/D1 airplanes
provides a equivalent level of safety to be considered as terminating
action for the AD.

Thanks!

Dave

[lfries]

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

Alternative Method of Compliance.
Here is what he said
The only AMOC granted to date is to Univair stating that installation of
their Part Number UA-A815 and UA-A845 sealed struts in BC12-D/D1 airplanes
provides a equivalent level of safety to be considered as terminating
action for the AD.

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

E Mailed Andrew last night. Found out this morning the only AMOC is for Univair Struts. Felt confident that by weeks end I would have the eddy
current tesing done on the struts and the attach fittings. Then found out the IA I hoped to use is only authorized/certified to do eddy current testing on Air Tractors and Thrushes. May wait to see if there are AMOC's on testing between now and 11/20 before I search for testing facilities. I'm located in Central Calif. The IA did state that he would research the AD and see if
there was any possibility of him being able to do something.

Can you elaborate? What is the AMOC you are describing?

Thanks, Dave

[VictorBravo]

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

Pursuant to a comment I made on the Strut Results thread, I put my money where my (ample) mouth is and wrote out a first draft of a SUGGESTED inspection criteria for the impending lower fuselage fitting inspection.

I do believe that WE here in this group should have the most say, and WE here in this group should assume the leadership role while we can.

Attached is my suggested procedure that IMHO should be presented to the FAA and used as a service bulletin, AD, whatever. Because I amNOT the most experienced, NOT an engineer, and NOT an IA, I would like to ask that those who are more qualified than I do their part and offer up suggestions on what should be added or removed.

The particular terminology and types of X-ray and Eddy Current are left blank, and need to be filled in by those who have the knowledge and experience in this area.

This inspection is very thorough on purpose. It represents going the extra mile to make sure that everything associated with this fitting and other related areas are looked at closely. These airplanes DO NOT get looked at as much as they should and it is a miracle that they have service lives this long. We need to start looking a lot more closely folks.

Bill

[VictorBravo]

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

Then found out the IA I hoped to use is only authorized/certified to do eddy current testing on Air Tractors and Thrushes. May wait to see if there are AMOC's on testing between now and 11/20 before I search for testing facilities. I'm located in Central Calif.

LA X-ray here in Los Angeles did our X-ray inspection. It's only a two hour flight or less for you, it can be arranged so you can fly-in and fly out the same day (assuming you can leave the struts on the airplane). The LA X-ray company does Eddy Current, X-ray and other NDT. There is a probability you can come in, have them do the Eddy Current or X-ray, eat lunch, and fly away the same day. He did five of our planes on one Saturday. Contact me if you want to pursue this.

[lfries]

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

E Mailed Andrew last night. Found out this morning the only AMOC is for Univair Struts. Felt confident that by weeks end I would have the eddy
current tesing done on the struts and the attach fittings. Then found out the IA I hoped to use is only authorized/certified to do eddy current testing on Air Tractors and Thrushes. May wait to see if there are AMOC's on testing between now and 11/20 before I search for testing facilities. I'm located in Central Calif. The IA did state that he would research the AD and see if
there was any possibility of him being able to do something.