Hi Richard - sorry to hear of your mishap.
Just a personal observation but I feel that lowering the gear halfway is
a habit that may have contributed towards your expensive landing. Its a
nuisance but I have always lowered and locked the undercarriage down
well before getting onto finals (ie: downwind leg). The lowering of the
gear prompted by using the checklist in the circuit and a final
confirmation of gear locked down on turning finals (and catch locked in
gate).
But then I have only logged 200 hours to your 500 so it may happen to me
yet.
I have smashed a prop (same as yours) due to a groundloop but luckily
the engine was idling and all that was required was a check on the
gearbox - fortunately the UK Rotax agent is only 30 miles away. I didnt
have to replace the prop hub, just the blades. Nearly 180 hrs flown
since the ding and no problems.
Im surprised your gearbox appears to have sustained so much damage. I
thought the point of the slipper clutch was to prevent this.
Again comiserations,
Carl Pattinson
G-LABS
----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Lamprey
To: europa-list@matronics.com
Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 8:07 AM
Subject: Europa-List: Wheels up landing...
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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