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RE: Europa-List: Outrigger leg failure

Subject: RE: Europa-List: Outrigger leg failure
From: Pete Lawless <pete@lawless.info>
Date: Fri, 14 May 2010 14:48:10
Jim


Do I read this right - both legs failed on the same landing?


No damage done I hope?


Regards


pete


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of
jim.naylor@talktalk.net
Sent: 14 May 2010 12:51
Subject: Europa-List: Outrigger leg failure


We have had a recent failure of the nylon outrigger legs on our mono. 
The
material seems to have gone brittle and simply snapped, despite 14 years 
of
service during which they have been subject to quite sever bending on
numerous occasions when landing and taxing on rough strips without 
incident.
They failed towards the end of a landing run on reasonably smooth grass
after a smooth touchdown on a lightly loaded aircraft, so they were not
subjected to any abnormal loads. There is no sign of previous cracks or
damage, they have simply snapped like match sticks. 

I recall reading about some failures in cold climates, but have not 
heard of
any problems in warmer climes. As most people know we have had a quite
severe winter in the UK as far as I can remember the coldest since our
Europa has been flying. So the question is, has the properties of the
material changed due to being exposed to sub zero temperatures, or has 
it
work hardened or age hardened? On the day they failed the temperature 
was
about 12C, so one would expect the material to have regained its
flexibility.

Any one else had problems?

Also any alternate material suggestions?

Jim


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