My condolences to Jos... I really do think it will happen one day to
anyone with a monowheel.
I have just done the same, with my classic here in Uganda. Details are:
Classic with 912UL, warpdrive ground adjustable, I've flown 500 hours in
her. After a series of circuits, let the gear handle down halfway to
slow down, and forgot the final movement and lock. Landed on soft
grass, even softer underneath from recent rain... big bang, prop
shatters, slide to halt... with instant recognition of the problem and
feeling like complete idiot...
As usual, it the trail of events, having flown 60 hours in the previous
3 weeks in a Cessna 182 with gear safely welded down!... general fatigue
and just not with it.
Minimal damage to the airframe, wiped off the transponder antenna, the
fuselage flap fairings are slightly grazed. When we raised it with a
hoist, wheel came down a locked quite normally, and all inspection so
far says the undercarriage / engine frame is OK. On 'landing' the wheel
went it to be supported by the throttle box, and that will need some
work (do Europa have these or do I have to fabricate a new one as in the
old days?).
The engine is the problem, it has the slipper clutch, but the gearbox
sounds pretty graunched on turning the prop. So, I have to get the
Rotax specialist up from South Africa (3000 km away) to go through the
whole thing - big expense!!. Apparently you cant use the warpdrive hub
again, but at least I have spare blades.
Can anyone with similar experience tell me what else I should look for
on the general inspection...?
Many thanks, and greetings to all the fraternity.
Richard Lamprey
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