Strut inspection results

[SCRed]

Re: Strut inspection results

Installed new Alaska Air struts on my bird on Saturday. For what it's worth, we did not find any hint of corrosion on the strut attach fittings.

This plane was re-covered in 1995. At that time, we sandblasted the airframe, then primed and painted it with polyurethane paint, which is resistant to all known fabric adhesives. I believe that could be part of the reason my fittings were so clean.

Also, I now have four old struts in excellent condition and a crate to ship them in. If anyone wants them, please contact me.

Lee Paulson

[rdwater]

Re: Strut inspection results

BC12D SN9224 N96924 TT1474

Inspected with Eddy Current yesterday - no corrosion or cracks found on all struts. Wall thickness was uniform. These are the newer, larger rear struts.

One was a new Univar strut installed 2-1/2 years ago... (Why did I have to test a 2-1/2 year old strut for corrosion?!)

I sure hope we can get that recurring inspection extended to a reasonable time...like 15 to 20 years!

Thanks Forrest for keeping this data base and working with the FAA on incorporating data into the decision making process!

Bob

[flylo]

Re: Strut inspection results

I thought eddy current was no longer approved. ?

[fearofpavement]

Re: Strut inspection results

I thought eddy current was no longer approved. ?

That's correct. It is no longer approved. So anyone that uses that method after the revised AD stated it is no longer approved will have to redo with an approved method.

[Garry Crookham]

Re: Strut inspection results

[QUOTE=fearofpavement;37746]That's correct. It is no longer approved.

AD 2007-16-14 has not yet been revised. A NPRM has been published but the resulting AD has not been issued, so until it is eddy current inspection is still acceptable. According to the NPRM: "(iii) If the initial inspection was done using the eddy current method as specified in AD 2007–16–14, the first ultrasound or radiograph repetitive inspection must be done within the next 24 months after doing the eddy current inspection. Repetitively inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 48 months using the ultrasound or radiograph inspection method." Both the AD (2007-16-14) and the NPRM (2007-0286) can be viewed on the FAA website www.FAA.Gov

Garry Crookham
N5112M
Tulsa

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Strut inspection results

Guys, it doesn't matter WHAT the requirement says for SAFETY. Eddy Current is to find CRACKS, NOT CORROSION.
Don't get me wrong. I will do ALL the inspections the FAA requires to comply with "their requirements". Then I will do the inspections I KNOW ARE NEEDED/NECESSARY TO INSURE MY SAFETY. I spent 20 years doing NDI instructions for the Navy as an engineer. DO THE X-Ray AND ULTRASONIC!!!!!!!!! Eddy Current won't hurt your plane, but it is also a rotten method to find corrosion. Comply with the requirement, then do an inspection that actually tells you what you have. Let's not die out there because we ONLY complied with an FAA requirement.
Hank

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Strut inspection results

thank u Hank, u can lead a horse to water but you can't make hiom drink. I jumped into the Eddy current thing way back , just consider the latest rev. of the Strut AD as now gospel. 4 yrs. and THEN more especially the F-19's and up.

[robbie]

Re:Strut Inspection results

BC12C-D ser#10138 N44338 struts pasted. Never on floats, don't know about skis.
Had one other set checked with my and they checked good also will get ser# and n number of that plane and post it.
so 8 struts pass ed ndt testing here in Fond du lac.

[bobp]

Re: Strut inspection results

Robbie, I would like to know where you had your struts tested, I'm located in
Tomah. Thanks, Bob

[Dano"T"]

Re: Strut inspection results

Robbie, I would like to know where you had your struts tested, I'm located in
Tomah. Thanks, Bob

Go to Great Lakes Testing in Green Bay....$200 per plane ask for Rob (920) 336-3554 as soon as I asked about gettiong struts tested...he asked"you have a taylorcraft?" he's been doing them and is aware of all that is involved.

[bobp]

Re: Strut inspection results

Dan, Thanks for the info. Bob

[Dano"T"]

Re: Strut inspection results

1946 BC12D N96608 s/n 8908

Tested Front and rear struts per Taylorcraft Service Bulletin 2007-001 Rev. B

Ultrasonic inspection results (thinnest reading noted):

Right Rear - .039"
Right Front- .049"

Left Rear - .038"
Left Front- .047"

All four struts had drain holes, no corrosion or cracking was noted. No concentrated pitting. Struts tested are considered satifsactory.

On floats and skis for 14 seasons

[Dano"T"]

Re: Strut inspection results

Great Lakes Testing in Green Bay has tested the struts from 9 or 10 Taylorcrafts now and the guy there said none have failed yet. Is someone keeping track other than on this thread? A list with N number, serial number model and pass or fail along with type of test done would be great for submission to FAA. If a specific shop keeps finding failures It would be nice to investigate why....I saw 2 failures listed in Texas both from the same shop. I'm not saying the results are not accurate....just saying we could track trends if any exist...maybe the frequency of testing could be stretched once again based on results. I put my struts back on last night and watched the boiled linseed oil drool from the weep holes.....what a lovely sight.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Strut inspection results

We are the ones keeping track , the FAA checks in on this thread. I do hope to prove a point, YES a lot are passing and should.
We took 14 up two weeks ago, to Acuren in Twinsburg, Oh. ALL passed. I will post the results soon, I am doing the next newsletter now, please keep this thread for results, we have another one for comments....

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Strut inspection results

I had my struts inspected by the outfit in San Antonio that helped the faa originally. There was some VERY light corrosion and they passed just fine. Now after filling them with boiled linseed oil they will never corrode again.

The attach fittings were A OK too.

Those struts sure weight a lot now and really affected my takeoff distance!! (just kidding......)