Strut Testing - where, who and what cost? (merged)

[astjp2]

Re: Strut Testing - where, who and what cost? (merged)

I just called Alaska Industrial Xray, they quoted me 125.00 for all 4 struts if I delivered them to thier shop. Tim

[David Bloomberg]

Re: Strut Testing - where, who and what cost? (merged)

Thanks Dave. I will definitely give NDT a call.

Re: Strut Testing - where, who and what cost? (merged)

Hi Dave,

Try this outfit in Waterford, CT.

I included a copy of a post he made a while back.

All owners of TC A, B, and F series planes must comply with FAA Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-057-AD and TC Service Bulletin No. 2007-001.

Some of you may have already received postcards from integrated Technologies, inc. offering our services for nondestructive testing of the lower 12" of the lift struts and if so, you got a big surprise when you called the 1-800 number. No we are not an escort service! Fortunately pilots have a great sense of humor and managed to contact us anyway. We have since sent out new postcards with the correct number 1-800-361-2237.

The TC service bulletin provides the option of eddy current (ET) or ultrasonics (UT) and in my opinion both methods would provide the information needed to evaluate the condition of the struts.

The ET method will not be as accurate in determining the wall thickness. The instrument would be calibrated on known thickness and you would evaluate responses on the scope in the form of a meter reading value or a sinusoidal wave, depending on the instrument used. The actual wall thickness value will be approximate only. If cracking was the major failure mode of the struts, eddy current would be the method of choice as it will find cracks.

The UT method is quick, repeatable and accurate. The remaining wall thickness of the strut can be determined with the accuracy of 0.001". This method has been used for years to find internal corrosion pitting in steam pipes, boiler tubes, condensate piping, tanks, vessels and many more components. About 48 data points will be taken on each strut and stored in the instrument for printout. The report will have the plane serial number and strut identification. A UT data report will be generated for each strut. I am recommending the UT over the ET as it will provide quick and accurate assessment of the struts. This data will be used a baseline so comparisons can be made during the 2 year re-inspection intervals.

Either method chosen requires 360 degree access around the strut for the lower 12" as the probe has to be in contact with the strut. Coatings do not have to be removed but any surface corrosion would have to be cleaned to sound metal. Both methods can be used on all of the models affected by the AD.

The struts can be shipped to one of our offices or we can do the inspection at your home airport or other convenient location. If we inspect in our shop the cost will be fixed at approximately $500.00 per plane. If we travel to the plane travel cost would apply. If multiple plane owners in one location can have struts ready for inspection the travel cost would be split between them.

If struts are shipped to us we anticipate a maximum turnaround of 3 days.

I understand there is going to be a Rev. B to the TC service bulletin allowing the use of x-ray to evaluate the struts. This is fine if your are looking for general wastage and pitting as this would be a great screening tool. The x-ray technique however, will not provide you with an accurate remaining thickness of your strut(s). A density comparison of a known thickness step wedge film to the dark areas of the strut film would be made using a film densitometer, and you will only get an approximate value. You may also not be able to get 100% coverage of the lower 12" due to geometry.

Our company is capable of providing visual, eddy current, ultrasonic, x-ray, magnetic particle and liquid penetrant inspection methods so we are not bias to any one method. We believe you will get the best inspection using ultrasonics.

I hope this helps you with your decision. Please call me at 1-800-361-2237 or 860-447-2474 to discuss further.

David M. Orlosky,

iTi V.P. of NDT Services

Dave Rude

[David Bloomberg]

Re: Strut Testing - where, who and what cost? (merged)

Anyone know who is doing the x-ray inspection in southern New England or upstate New York?

[flyguy]

Re: Strut Testing - where, who and what cost? (merged)

I am astounded at the prices that I see quoted on this forum for ultrasound tests.

The guy who did mine didn't do all the fancy B.S. on the AD, such as laying off a grid and all that crap. He just checked the entire area required on each strut. Found one with a thin spot about an inch in diameter and the other front had a thin spots all along it's length. Two passed, two failed, end of test. Wrote that on a duplicate form. $100. Finished.

Did the same test for another owner I know. All passed. Signed log. $100. Finished.

Those testers are all over the place. Almost everyone who does work on engine blocks and heads has one. Probably NDT labs in most city areas. Guys must be getting ripped off right and left if what I see here is typical of our entire group.

Good luck on your search and getting a reasonable price.
Darryl

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Strut Testing - where, who and what cost? (merged)

and the silence was deafening.......

[KewFlyer]

Re: Strut inspection results

DAnny Fergazzi at Hyde Airiport suggest Lukameyer Associates in Clinton, MD.
I've been calling once a week for 6 months now (I need some welding help also) but no one ever answers. Comes highly recommended, just can't contact him! - MIke

Mike:
I contacted Testing Technologies, Inc in Woodbridge VA [ Gary 703-491-5500 & [email protected]] rather than ACUREN in VA Beach or Applied Technical Services in Chesapeake VA, just becouse they are closer. Prices are about the same, approx $ 500 for the 2 sets. I e-mailed them the ADs plus pics posted herein so the had an idea of what we are looking for in these tests. I'll drop 2 sets on Jan 05, 2008. They will do them during the week, at their convinience. Should be able to pick them up on Jan 12, 2008 with test results. I'll post them when I get them.
Stay in touch. Ralph

[mhorowit]

Re: Strut inspection results

Mark:
where did you take your struts?
I have mine ready for testing but I do not know where to take them.
Ralph

DAnny Fergazzi at Hyde Airiport suggest Lukameyer Associates in Clinton, MD.
I've been calling once a week for 6 months now (I need some welding help also) but no one ever answers. Comes highly recommended, just can't contact him! - MIke

[barnstmr]

Re: Strut inspection results

Mark,
Just curious.. why did you elect not to go with BRL Consultants?

How's your wife? I am so sorry to hear! What happened? Give me a call or email privately. I will add her to my prayers.

[Buell Powell]

Re: Strut inspection results

Mark,

How much did they charge? How long did it take? I would have to drive all the way down there from georgetown........... Do you have contact info for them??

Richard,
If you decide to take your struts to SA to have them tested I may be interested in sending the ones for my 41. Mark took the ones for the F19 that I am working on for me and offered to take the struts for my plane also but I am going to get new ones. I am thinking about after my new ones arrive (I want to replace them 1 at a time without haveing the plane proped up in place). I may have mine tested and keep them for another T/craft that I have to restore that has some rough looking struts if the owner is interested. At the time I called I believe they quoted me 375.00 for 1 set and 250.00 for more but that was when they were just getting set up to do the testing on struts and may have lowered the price for one set. -hope so. Anyway -if it doesn't hold you up to wait and you have yours tested in SA please let me know.
Buell

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Strut inspection results

Richard,
The charge was $250 for X-ray. We got a price break for having 4 sets all at once, I believe he wanted $300 otherwise.
There was a bit of a mix-up when they wanted to charge me extra to do ultrasound on the struts that showed rust. We discussed the situation and reached a friendly understanding, but make sure you are real clear what is going to be done and for how much $$. These guys are competent, but be advised we are not first priority and they will go take care of their bread and butter customers before you...so get a good understanding on the promise date also. It takes about an hour to shoot and develop film then do paper work is a bit longer. They do not have digital system, so they must chemically develop film.

CALL ME if yo have any questions cell is 210 382 0840. I'll help with information if I can, but understand I'm spending majority of my time with at hospital just lately....serious injury to my wife.


All American Inspections, Inc.
119 West Rhapsody
San Antonio
TX 78216

Phone:
210-525-0421

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Strut inspection results

Mark,

How much did they charge? How long did it take? I would have to drive all the way down there from georgetown........... Do you have contact info for them??

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Strut inspection results

Ralph,
I took my struts (and Doc's and Buell's) to All American Inspection here in San Antonio, Texas. If you are nearby It is a good place to go, but I believe you are in Virginia?? I don't know what to say about Virginia, although there were a couple Maryland guys looking for an inspection.

I hope that helps some. There are always non-destructive inspection shops near major metropolitan airports, but not so many away from bigger cities.

[KewFlyer]

Re: Strut inspection results

Mark:
where did you take your struts?
I have mine ready for testing but I do not know where to take them. The A&P is looking. I have also contacted our EAA Chapter 186 and others around here.
The price is right...about $ 50 more than others have posted but...is what it is.
Thanks
Ralph

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Strut Testing - where, who and what cost? (merged)

Anyone know of someone that does the inspection around Austin/Georgetown Texas?