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  #1  
Old 05-24-2012, 08:52 PM
Randy Hooper Randy Hooper is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 227
Default What are the odds of spearing a bee with pitot

There have been several discussions about insects clogging vents and airspeed plumbing but what are the odds of hitting a critter so as to plug the pitot in flight?
This afternoon on takeoff at rotation speed I had an airspeed fluctuation. Compared to the other indicators it didn't agree. Soon Followed by FADEC warnings along with a list of other system malfunctions.
Just under max landing weight, we returned to find this bumble bee tail first in the pitot tube with it's head too large to enter.
I have to say, never saw that before.


http://s478.photobucket.com/albums/r...rent=photo.jpg
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  #2  
Old 05-24-2012, 08:57 PM
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videobobk videobobk is offline
 
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What are the odds of hitting a bee (or some other bug) on takeoff from Oshkosh? Thankfully, it worked its way back so as not to completely block things after a few minutes, but it happened to me five years ago. Look at your windscreen are leading edges. You hit a LOT of bugs!

Bob
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  #3  
Old 05-24-2012, 09:32 PM
c177tx c177tx is offline
 
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Count me in as having a pitot hit by a bug just after rotation leaving Fredricksburg Texas. Lost all airspeed, the bug was so big I saw it out of the corner of my eye just before the airspeed went dead.
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  #4  
Old 05-24-2012, 10:12 PM
BobTurner BobTurner is offline
 
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Location: Livermore, CA
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My former 182 partner lost airspeed data just after rotation at Johnson Creek ID. Bug in the pitot. He said he was glad it wasn't IMC.
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  #5  
Old 05-24-2012, 10:22 PM
HSANTIBANEZ HSANTIBANEZ is offline
 
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Location: Chile, Valparaiso
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Talking Rv-jet


Nice Rv with folding door jejejej
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  #6  
Old 05-24-2012, 11:06 PM
rockwoodrv9 rockwoodrv9 is offline
 
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Location: Meridian ID, Aspen CO, Okemos MI
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Obviously the pitot tube was mounted .5 inches to high on the fuselage. haha!
I like the drop down door on your 8 too!
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  #7  
Old 05-25-2012, 01:09 AM
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GusBiz GusBiz is offline
 
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Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 211
Default Dual pitot it is

So I have been arguing with myself over two pitots and thought ...

Come on, what are the chances.

I mean really.

Now I know.

Two pitot it is
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  #8  
Old 05-25-2012, 04:22 AM
Randy Hooper Randy Hooper is offline
 
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Location: Nashville, TN
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HSANTIBANEZ View Post
Nice Rv with folding door jejejej
Yep, not my RV but I did fly the RV to work.
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  #9  
Old 05-25-2012, 05:43 AM
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rv7boy rv7boy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BobTurner View Post
My former 182 partner lost airspeed data just after rotation at Johnson Creek ID. Bug in the pitot. He said he was glad it wasn't IMC.
Not to worry...bugs don't fly in IMC, do they?
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  #10  
Old 05-25-2012, 06:18 AM
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dedgemon dedgemon is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Randy Hooper View Post
There have been several discussions about insects clogging vents and airspeed plumbing but what are the odds of hitting a critter so as to plug the pitot in flight?
This afternoon on takeoff at rotation speed I had an airspeed fluctuation. Compared to the other indicators it didn't agree. Soon Followed by FADEC warnings along with a list of other system malfunctions.
Just under max landing weight, we returned to find this bumble bee tail first in the pitot tube with it's head too large to enter.
I have to say, never saw that before.


http://s478.photobucket.com/albums/r...rent=photo.jpg

Nice shot Randy. Bullseye!
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