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  #21  
Old 04-28-2011, 08:00 PM
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Auburntsts Auburntsts is offline
 
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Ted,
Now that you've found the leak, any idea as to what the ignition source was?
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  #22  
Old 04-28-2011, 08:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tc1234c View Post
I used 5606 from Van's. I have no idea whether it produces more smoke or not. By the way, if you tighten all your fuel line b-nuts then you don't have to worry about the problem I had!
83282 has a flash point of 450 and a burn point of 490, whereas 5606 has a flash point around 190. 83282 may have still burnt and produced smoke, since the tunnel most likely got quite hot once the fuel started to burn. However, it may buy you a couple more minutes before it started to burn and smoke.

I think 83282 and double checking the nuts (and perhaps using torque seal lacquer to indicate the nut has been torqued properly) would be appropriate actions to take to minimize the issues you experience.

thanks for sharing your situation, so others may learn.

bob
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  #23  
Old 04-29-2011, 04:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Auburntsts View Post
Ted,
Now that you've found the leak, any idea as to what the ignition source was?
I'm curious to know if the flaps were touched between take off and the time the fire started.....
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  #24  
Old 04-29-2011, 07:01 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Auburntsts
Now that you've found the leak, any idea as to what the ignition source was?
Exhaust pipe

Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil View Post
I'm curious to know if the flaps were touched between take off and the time the fire started.....
Fire started outside. Tunnel bottom got burnt through. See additional photos I posted on my Picasaweb album.

https://picasaweb.google.com/tc1234c...PjmtviSyuKsQg#
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  #25  
Old 04-29-2011, 07:01 AM
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Default Don?t panic

Ted Great job flying the plane and keeping your cool.
Glad your ok.

I have had missed search results for your Nnumber on my website www.rvbuilderlist.com
I added your aircraft to the site - Kit 40948

Good luck with your rebuild
Joe
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  #26  
Old 04-29-2011, 07:38 AM
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Very glad you're OK Ted!

I find very interesting how the nosegear failed, and did not pull under forcing the airplane to flip. It appears the RV-10 nosegear design is a winner.
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  #27  
Old 04-29-2011, 09:19 AM
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Thanks Ted.

I got it now. I was thinking it was a tunnel fire and didn't realize it was forward of the firewall.

Your photos and reports are very very helpful. Thanks for your honesty!

Phil
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  #28  
Old 04-29-2011, 09:27 AM
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Well done Ted.

Please shoot a few detail photos inside the tunnel. This is a rare opportunity to study the progression of a classic fuel fire.

For now can you tell us about events as they progressed from the pilot's point of view? I'm not thinking about the emergency landing; you did a great job with that.

When did you suspect you had a fire? What was the first clue? When and why were you sure? How quickly did smoke become an issue? How much time passed between each notable event as the emergency progressed?
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  #29  
Old 04-29-2011, 09:58 AM
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I got a few minutes before I have to go out of town. Here is a quick answer.

The first sign was low fuel pressure. I turned on the boost pump. The fuel flow was very high (don't remember the number).

After 10 minutes (I had a 20 nm trip with 32 kts headwind at 2,600' running 23/2300 I was doing 90 kts GS) and 4 nm from my destination I smell the smoke and began the sequence of event I reported before).

My plane landed 1.5 to 2 sm from the end of the runway and the surface wind was reported 4 kts from south. In a dive I estimate that I must be doing 140-150 mph. So it took a little more than 1 minute to travel the 2.2 sm. I must started turning toward the field less than 60 seconds from the time I smelled something.

First has been burning under the tunnel for a few minutes. By the time I noticed it must has burnt through the skin.

Big smoke came out within few seconds after I put off the initial fire along the edge of firewall and tunnel. Now I believe by that time the brake lines have been burnt through.

I am going back to the hangar next week to open the tunnel cover and assess the damage. FAA inspectors want to come and take a look too. I will definitely post pictures.
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  #30  
Old 04-29-2011, 10:22 AM
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I wouldn't be surprised if burning insulation was a major contributor to smoke in the cockpit. Do you have some laying around the hangar that you could test?

Phil
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