Strut inspection results

[jstall]

Re: Strut inspection results

Had the stuts on my airplane tested today by Tailwind Inspection...ultrasound...all four struts were in great shape, no problems found. Attached are some pictures of the wing supports I made from a couple of pieces of 2x2x 1/8 inch angle and AN eye bolts. The piece running between the attach fittings is 36 inches long with the eye bolts on 31 inch centers. The vertical piece is around 67 inches long.

Garry Crookham
N5112M
Tulsa

Thanks Garry for the report on that and the pictures of your wing supports, I've made mine out of wood, and are kiinda a sling affair with will rest on a rib under the wing. I like yours better, "way better", I see that it is still blue, and look just as I remember it at Eagles Nest back in 1980. If you get a chance drop me a copy of your email address

J Stallings
Alva, Ok

[email protected]

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Strut inspection results

Radiographs of my struts produced two bad front struts and two marginal aft struts.

Inspection shop was All American Inspections in San Antonio. I did not follow through with ultrasound because these looked bad enough to me to just up and order new ones. Unfortunately, I don't have a digital copy to post here because AA uses actual film, but they looked similar to Terry's strut as seen in the second post of this thread. I may cut one open to see how bad it really is. It will be a good education.

My plane spent from '86 to '96 parked outdoors, mostly in Arkansas which was probably a contributing factor.

So any of you clipped wing aficionados looking for some struts to cut down?

[Garry Crookham]

Re: Strut inspection results

Thanks Garry for the report on that and the pictures of your wing supports, I've made mine out of wood, and are kiinda a sling affair with will rest on a rib under the wing. I like yours better, "way better", I see that it is still blue, and look just as I remember it at Eagles Nest back in 1980. If you get a chance drop me a copy of your email address

J Stallings
Alva, Ok

[email protected]

Hi Jim
Have you heard from the factory on your struts? If your old ones appear to be in good condition bring them to Tulsa and we can have them tested...might get you in the air sooner than waiting for new struts. My e-mail is [email protected]

Garry Crookham
N5112M
Tulsa

[gnflyn]

Re: Strut inspection results

Ultrasound ispection on 43752 completed this morning, no corrosion found. Done by Power NDT out of Tampa.

[Mark2]

Re: Strut inspection results

Had two sets inspected today. All passed (BC65 & BC12D) My A&P had me take the struts to an NDT shop and did ultrasound. Took about 4 hours (also, a four hour minimum). $202.

Some struts we noted did not have weep holes. Anyone know if we should drill them? The struts certainly are not seal.

later,

Mark

[fearofpavement]

Re: Strut inspection results

Had two sets inspected today via ultrasound. All eight struts passed. yippee!
We had them off, cleaned up and ready to go. When the inspectors came one laid out the grid on the struts while the guy running the ultrasound machine was calibrating stuff and measuring thicknesses. (one of the front struts was considerably thicker than the others which we already knew as when we weighed them it was about 2.5 lbs heavier than the others.) It took them a little over three hours for the two sets.

[waltermrich]

Re: Strut inspection results

Had my struts tested at Quality Testing Services in St Louis, all passed but the Right frount was marginal but did pass, The cost was $150 and took about 3 hours, I was very pleased. The person doing the testing thought the time between inspection was 24 months, but I am of the understanding that it is 48 months with the revised Ad , using Xray could anyone clarify, also how are you supposed to get linseed oil in the tiny hole in the frount strut. , N94961:

[PT13Pilot]

Re: Strut inspection results

Just back from Quality Testing in St. Louis today. I took them up there and waited. My customers struts passed with flying colors. And it was $150 as promised. I'll try to post pictures when I can get them scanned. Now just have to corrosion proof, and inspect the attach fittings, and ..............
Chris

[Guest]

Re: Strut inspection results

Had my struts tested at Quality Testing Services in St Louis, all passed but the Right frount was marginal but did pass, The cost was $150 and took about 3 hours, I was very pleased. The person doing the testing thought the time between inspection was 24 months, but I am of the understanding that it is 48 months with the revised Ad , using Xray could anyone clarify, also how are you supposed to get linseed oil in the tiny hole in the frount strut. , N94961:

read the AD on FAA.gov, I haven't looked at it in a few weeks

you don't put it the drain hole

put it in the top bolt hole, 5/16"

[Jim Hartley]

Re: Strut inspection results

Had my struts x-rayed on Tuesday. Received results today...Bad news;
Front left not airworthy. The rest passed,right rear barely. All of them had some rust. I ordered new struts from Airframes Inc. Will have them just after Christmas.

Jim

[flylo]

Re: Strut inspection results

Had mine '38 struts X-rayed yesterday by Aircraft NDT. Both left struts were fine. Both right struts failed. I'd like to keep it original so I need to buy one front & one rear Prewar strut.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Strut inspection results

I have placed a few struts up i the shop area. I am going to have them X-rayed and I will sell those that pass.
For the fellows ordering new struts, call or e-mail me first at the Barber Airport 330 823-1168 cell # 330 495 5447 or [email protected] for some thoughts on saving a wee bit of money.

[flyguy]

Re: Strut inspection results

Jim and Eric,
Maybe this is a question that has been answered and I missed it.

How does the X-ray interpreter/tech/whatever determine the remaining thickness of the material in order to fail the strut? I can understand seeing there is little or no rust, so it passes. I don't quite get the other half of the equation.
Someone fill me in on this--I kinda like to understand stuff.
Thanks,
Darryl

[Jim Hartley]

Re: Strut inspection results

Hi Darryl,
all I have at this point is the results relayed verbaly from the x-ray tech to my mechanic and as soon as I have the paperwork I will share the results. My mechanic did say that he speculated that a knife blade could be shoved through the strut based on the results. We are going to take a chop saw to the failed strut and give it a good going over at annual in two weeks when I receive my new struts I will share that info as well. I shudder when I think of what may have happened in a high G maneuver such as evasive action to avoid a mid-air collision or perhaps moderate to severe turbulence.

The Strut attach fittings are going to get some serious scrutiny at annual as well.

Jim

Jim and Eric,
Maybe this is a question that has been answered and I missed it.

How does the X-ray interpreter/tech/whatever determine the remaining thickness of the material in order to fail the strut? I can understand seeing there is little or no rust, so it passes. I don't quite get the other half of the equation.
Someone fill me in on this--I kinda like to understand stuff.
Thanks,
Darryl

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Strut inspection results

The factory SB spells out thickness and sizes. Most IA's should know what to do. the old FAR of 10% of wall thickness or above is failure on any tubing.