Service Bulletin SB 19-09-09 Published - Inspect RV-10 gear leg mount lug

[RV10inOz]

Originally Posted by Machsandy

Hello Greg

First of all thank you for posting on the VAF forum it is very useful.

I am afraid I find the wording on the SB a wee bit ambiguous. If you read the method of compliance section it requires removal of the nose gear leg.

However is the method of compliance section only relevant if a crack is found?

Is a visual inspection, with the nose gear installed, sufficient at the annual condition inspection? If the visual inspection finds no cracks is that the SB complied with until the next condition inspection?

Thanks again for posting. Should I, as an RV10 owner have received an email notification? I submitted a notarised form when we bought the aeroplane 7 years ago but I have never received any of the SBs by email or letter.

I am about to go see for myself....but I suspect the region can be inspected while installed, as the lug is visible completely from one side. Even if you need to use a borescope.

As an RV10 with 1800+ hours on it operating off a grass strip, I will be having a really good look. The last nose gear SB for the RV10 we had the most sever case possible (broken bits missing) so I do not want to go there again.

I will let you know what I find.

[RV10inOz]

Inspected today with a borescope and there is no sign of cracks as depicted in the SB. There is some powder coat cracked away in some areas with some surface rust. At Annual we might disassemble and dye penetrant test it just to be sure.

I will send them to Vans for comment and report back if I learn anything more.

[Machsandy]

Thanks David

Hopefully Greg will respond soon and clarify what Vans intended in the SB.

[Auburntsts]

Originally Posted by Machsandy

Hello Greg

First of all thank you for posting on the VAF forum it is very useful.

I am afraid I find the wording on the SB a wee bit ambiguous. If you read the method of compliance section it requires removal of the nose gear leg.

However is the method of compliance section only relevant if a crack is found?

Is a visual inspection, with the nose gear installed, sufficient at the annual condition inspection? If the visual inspection finds no cracks is that the SB complied with until the next condition inspection?

Thanks again for posting. Should I, as an RV10 owner have received an email notification? I submitted a notarised form when we bought the aeroplane 7 years ago but I have never received any of the SBs by email or letter.

Seems straightforward to me per the "Required Action" paragraph:

"Inspect the inboard attachment lugs of the WD-1017 Nose
Landing Gear for cracks (see Figure 1). If cracks are
discovered, replace the WD-1017 Nose Landing Gear with
the WD-1017-1 Nose Landing Gear as described in this
document. If no cracks are discovered, annual inspections
are required."

So inspect it--gear removal not required. If you find cracks then do the steps under the Method of Compliance para. If not, continue to inspect annually -- easy peasey. IOW, the Method of Compliance para is about how to fix the problem if discovered, not how to do the inspection itself.

[N42AH]

Whats the cost of a new gear leg, so you don't have to do an annual inspection on the item?

[Plummit]

Originally Posted by N42AH

Whats the cost of a new gear leg, so you don't have to do an annual inspection on the item?

$500. I just spoke with Vans and they are several months out due to a welder shortage.

-Marc

[Auburntsts]

Originally Posted by N42AH

Whats the cost of a new gear leg, so you don't have to do an annual inspection on the item?

You're kidding, right?

[KatanaPilot]

Originally Posted by Plummit

$500. I just spoke with Vans and they are several months out due to a welder shortage.

-Marc

I ordered mine last week to replace the leg we just installed. Now I assume I will have to delay hanging the engine until the gear leg arrives. I wonder if finish kits will be delayed as well.

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by N42AH

Whats the cost of a new gear leg, so you don't have to do an annual inspection on the item?

Don?t you have to inspect it anyway? It isn?t like a new part means you never look at it again.

[N42AH]

Originally Posted by Auburntsts

You're kidding, right?

I wouldn't have asked the question if I wasn't serious. It will be a one and done replacement with no further inspection/s required, that is an inspection requiring the removal of the gear leg. Why would that be considered an issue as opposed to an option?