Sorry Jon I meant to get back to you a while ago but other matters in life
got in the way. Changing the bolts is quite straight forward and should
ideally be accomplished with the gear retracted and the weight off if
possible. Change one bolt at a time but do the final torqueing and wire
locking after all new bolts are in position. I am not aware if anyone has
taken my advice since I have no authority to mandate this action. It just
seems a wise (and cheap) precaution to take following any form of u/c
collapse after a ground looping incident.
Incidents in the hangar may be considered differently. The GOMIK incident
and other similar were NOT hangar incidents.
Pete
Ps I hope Wife and Kids OK and you may be getting a bit more sleep
now.................perhaps?
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of italianjon
Sent: 12 June 2019 16:10
Subject: Europa-List: Europa Flyer - Inspector's Corner - the LG03 Bolt
Exchange
All,
I read with interest the article in Europa Flyer on the "G-OMIK" event. Last
year my Europa suffered a failure of an external support strut, in the
hangar, while the gear was retracted. It has been repaired, but there was
some evidence of a previous ground loop, or a high sideways stress landing,
discovered. (i.e. before I bought it) So I haven't got a crystal clear
picture of the history.
Although, quite rightly, the failure mode is not speculated upon in the
article, I
can't quite see that any stresses were introduced to my bolts during my
incident, mainly due to the lack of forward speed. My thoughts are that when
the top of the tyre impacts the top of the tunnel, that induces a large
longitudinal force on the landing gear frame in the aft direction. (But just
my thought). During the repairs of my aircraft the landing frame has been
subject to two independent NDTs and
neither found any cracks.
So, I am thinking of replacing these bolts are a precaution. At the end of
the day they are a few quid to save a lot of money and effort in repairs.
Has anyone yet followed the advice laid out in Europa Flyer? And exchanged
the 4 off 5/16" UNC x 2.25" Long bolts which hold the two LG03s in place?
I'm asking about experiences in completing the job - these are the question
in my mind at the moment: -
1) Is it a simple case of swapping the bolts?
- What I am asking is are there any special precautions to
take. Is this case of supporting the aircraft on blocks, then carefully
removing/replacing one bolt at a time, before finally setting the
torque correctly and wire locking.
2) Would it make more sense to do this job with the gear retracted?
- My thoughts here is that the bungee cord is at minimum
tension when retracted.
or 3) Is it better to remove and replace the bungee cord?
4) Are there any "gotchas" that have been experienced, when doing this
job?
Very best,
Jon
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=489631#489631
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