need F-21 right landing gear

[wberzinis]

Well here is my second post and not a pleasant one. I was flying this past Sunday and on my 3rd landing the bolt that holds the brace to near where the brake is broke. Looking at it (which was found on the runway) it had been cracked for some time and finally gave out. No one would of ever known on a preflight. The nut and cotter pin were still attached to the piece that was found and it broke in the middle.

I almost was a stop with the engine at idle and the left wing began to lift and then the right wing began to scrap on the pavement. The prop did get the pavement even though the yoke was all the way back. When it leaned towards the right it was close enough to the ground to connect. Overall there is little damage to the fabric. The prop and the gear is the problem. Does anyone know where I could find a right landing gear? It broke the tubing inside. It could be welded, but to find another would be best. The FAA was very nice and called this an incident and basically said it could of happened to anyone, as you wouldn't know it was cracked. The aircraft was un such great shape and it is a real shame. Any help would be much appreciated. I live in the Northeast.

Thanks,

Wayne

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: need F-21 right landing gear

Going to need to know what size and type prop to find out if there is one to loan or buy out there. If it was metal you are going to need to check out the engine (I would even if it was a wood prop, cheap insurance).
You could weld the gear to have something to fly with until you found a "pretty one". Functionality and safety first, cosmetics later.
If you do get it patch welded, make sure the welder understands someone later will want to cut out the damaged area and replace the patched tube. Don't let them do something dumb and ruin it for anything but a roll around gear.
Hank

Check the spar attachment areas of the wing that touched down (there are HUGE loads at the root when the tip touches!) and don't forget to check the alignment of the wheels before you try to fly it! No sense having your next landing be a ground loop from a bent axle.

[Steve Green]

Re: need F-21 right landing gear

Glad you are OK, and the plane sounds mostly so. I had a similar occurrence in my Citabria, but it was a brake pedal bolt that broke. Front seat pilot says "That doesn't feel right", then tells me he has no left brake, mine in the back seat worked fine. Fortunately, we were at a slow taxi with lots of room.

I have an extra prop, but there are probably a lot that are closer and fixed pitch, which would be an easier install.

[wberzinis]

Re: need F-21 right landing gear

Prop is a metal Sensenich fixed prop. This plane is on floats as well and I will check the length of the prop.

[murphy]

Re: need F-21 right landing gear

Are all gear for Taylorcraft the same size my F-21A sits left wing low and I know that gear was replaced due to a ground loop. Could a shorted gear have been installed or do you think the patched gear was rebuilt shorter? My prop is a 72 CK-0-53 and fits the 0235 same engine as yours. Mike

[Guest]

Re: need F-21 right landing gear

Are all gear for Taylorcraft the same size my F-21A sits left wing low and I know that gear was replaced due to a ground loop. Could a shorted gear have been installed or do you think the patched gear was rebuilt shorter? My prop is a 72 CK-0-53 and fits the 0235 same engine as yours. Mike

Sometimes you can find tires types/models (new) that have 1/4" or 3/8" difference in diameter and you can install them to partially correct the situation.

For example the cheapo model may be a slightly smaller diameter than the 4 ply super-duper model in the same brand (or a different brand even).

Dave

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: need F-21 right landing gear

Got to watch repaired gear legs. There are a lot of people who don't seem to understand you can weld one up to look really nice and still be really screwed up. If I was welding on a gear leg I would make a fixture to hold it straight first.
That means you need another GOOD gear to make the fixture.
Hank

[Buell Powell]

Re: need F-21 right landing gear

Wayne,
If you can't locate a landing gear you might contact Wag Aero about repairing it.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: need F-21 right landing gear

They use a fixture don't they? Never heard of a crocked one coming from WAG.
Hank

[Buell Powell]

Re: need F-21 right landing gear

Hank,
I wasn't sure about if they have fixtures or not so I called and talked to John Armes @ Wag Aero and they don't have them yet but will -he thinks in a couple of months-and then may even have a PMA to make complete new gears for both tapered and strait axles. They have done quite a few repairs and have the strait axles in stock now and are working on having the tapered soon. I believe after they have the fixtures, as long as they have a gear in about any condition they can it list as a repair and pretty much make a new gear from it. John said the best way to check about a repair and price is to send a picture to him @ [email protected]. I believe Univair will be building new gear before long also so they may be another source to check with.