WD 1215 WELDMENT -- CHECK

[KALEWIS]

This evening, we were getting ready to match drill the wd-1215 brackets with the wd-1214 flaperon torque tubes and the wd-1215 bracket flange came off in my hand. Looks like there was no welding other than a tac weld. The rest was held on by powder coat. Our kit is 120328 w/ finish kit received in early January. The other weldments looks ok, i used light hand pressure to check. These are the flaperon torque tube sections and a very critical part. May be a good idea to check these ASAP. Will be calling VANS in the a.m.












This side seemed to be ok / checked with light hand (squeeze) pressure

[JBPILOT]

Way beyond scary ! ! ! About as critical a piece as any ! Glad you found it.

John Bender

[KALEWIS]

I was in the process of putting a spring clamp on the two pieces and it fell off .. no pressure at all. I know i did not drop it before installation, came off the shelf where it had sat since inventory. I have looked at weldments on other parts and all look to be in good shape. This piece must have been faulty from the factory.

[joedallas]

Originally Posted by KALEWIS

I was in the process of putting a spring clamp on the two pieces and it fell off .. no pressure at all. I know i did not drop it before installation, came off the shelf where it had sat since inventory. I have looked at weldments on other parts and all look to be in good shape. This piece must have been faulty from the factory.

certified welder ????

There is know way that you could have broke that part. You should be able to beat it with a hammer and it should have not come off if it was welded by a certified welder.
The Quality control should have caught this.

Let us Know what Van Say's ?

It is a good thing the tack weld was lousy.

From the Photo it looks like it had two 1/4” tack welds only. Is this right

[rejnovca]

I had the same defect ... flat part came off and was only tack welded in two spots. I submitted photo and problem report to Van's. They provided a replacement part and said they were going to check the inventory but no service bulletin/letter was issued.

[joedallas]

Originally Posted by rejnovca

I had the same defect ... flat part came off and was only tack welded in two spots. I submitted photo and problem report to Van's. They provided a replacement part and said they were going to check the inventory but no service bulletin/letter was issued.

What is your kit number and what was the date you notified Vans

Note to all Builders: We need to do our own Quality Control
It looks like some things are getting past Vans.

Check all your welds as you go.

[rejnovca]

Kit number is 120230 and Van's was notified of defect in February, 2010.

[Dave Cole]

Originally Posted by joedallas

Note to all Builders: We need to do our own Quality Control
It looks like some things are getting past Vans.

Absolutely! As the manufacturer of a kit plane, it is your responsibility to inspect every part before you install it.

[dick seiders]

KALEWIS, very happy you discovered error. Just brings home the point that all parts/assemblies supplied need a close inspection to see if all OK. Human beings are doing the work, and mistakes do occur.
Dick Seiders

[Driftdown]

Originally Posted by Dave Cole

Absolutely! As the manufacturer of a kit plane, it is your responsibility to inspect every part before you install it.

Even Boeing receives defective parts sometimes. Latest example, B-787 Dreamliner.

The buck stops with the final assembler.

Be careful out there.