Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

[Craig]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

Hello Mike

Sorry the Hoosier Aircraft lead didn't pan out. I'll pass on the info to my mechanic friend.

As for Wag Aero, The people were very friendly and helpful. I dropped my struts off Monday and before I left they did an interior inspection by drilling a small hole in the end of each one and used a borescope to look inside. Since they are sealing the struts, the internal condition must meet pretty strick guidelines as far as any corrosion that they allow. Sadly, my two rear struts failed and the front struts passed. They say it is pretty common for the rear sruts to fail due to the open end on the strut that has the washout adjustment.

They have new struts in stock so Friday I'll pick them up and other than the additional expense I will be good to go once I get them painted and reinstalled.

For me, even with the addtional expense of having to buy 2 struts it is worth not having to mess with them again in the future.

As you have found, finding someplace to do the x ray, taking them off, getting them to where the inspection company is, and then reinstalled along with the repeatitive expense the AD poses some long term issues that have to be dealt with.

Also, I am not sure how much of the corrosion would have shown up during an X Ray NDT inspection. So, having them borescoped and then sealed is additional piece of mind for me and it is a one time hassle.

Good Luck with whatever you decide with yours,

Craig

[M Towsley]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

Here is a response from Scott Zimmer regarding an e-mail I sent him last night. I had some questions about trip charges, etc. Apparently I will just remove the struts here and drive them down. What a hassle, thanks Harry Ingram...

Martin,

The SB No: 2007-001 states: "NDT inspection of the lift struts requires removing them from the airplane and testing them on a flat level surface." Sorry, when the SB originally presented, I originally thought we could get by without removing the struts but after further reading I found I was wrong.

Our equipment is already setup in our shop and ready to shoot x-rays. We have tested quite a few so far and I would guess we only reject about 5% of what has been brought to us.

We do have portable equipment and we can come to the airport where you have the struts removed and test them. If we come to your hangar we have to setup the equipment and manually process the film. No problem in doing so, but just a little more expensive. Of course, there is an additional charge for us to come to your place.

We usually provide 3-5 day turnaround if it's tested at our facility but if you need it quicker just ask and we can accommodate for you. If fact, on occasions, we have set up appointments and performed the inspections while the customer waited. It usually takes about a half of a day give or take. Most customers drive in to St. Louis, drop the struts off, site-see or visit, eat lunch and then pick up their struts after lunch.

We are an approved FAA Repair facility and have certified technicians to perform the NDT.

Give me a call at the below number and I will try to answer anymore questions if you have any.

Post this on the forum if you think it would help.

Regards,

Scott

Scott Zimmer
Quality Testing Services, Inc.
2305 Millpark Drive,
Maryland Heights, Missouri 63043
(314) 770-0607 office
(314) 575-7474 Cell

E-mail: [email protected]

[jmvolpp]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

While it might be debatable that X-ray or U/S screening of the struts be successfully conducted, or approved, with them on the aircraft, it would be tough afterward to, as directed, slosh around a quart of corrosion inhibitor in each one that way! Seems we can't get away from removing them, come HOHW - another vote for the trip to Wag-Aero.

Mike V.

[jmvolpp]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

The Wag Aero option didn't work out for me this time, so I opted for the ultrasound inspection at Hoosier Aircraft Accessories in Indy. HAA dates back to 1956 and owner Dan Rose started there over 30 years ago. They were very accomodating, performed the inspection in about 4 hours - cost $360. For those not minding the recurrent testing, HAA is highly recommended. I had an interesting chat with Dan about his business in general and N44305's struts in particular. Seems the right front's wall is about .015" thicker and it weighs about 3# more than the others, suggesting it may have been replaced at some point - but I don't find a logbook entry to that effect, so who knows? I also have some tips for those interested in application of the corrosion inhibitor (LPS3 in this case) without inclusion of other unrelated but adjacent structures and parts of the anatomy.

Mike V.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Indianapolis Wing Strut Testing

Good report , yes lots of struts have been replaced and not documented. That was part of the original problem.