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  #41  
Old 02-01-2014, 01:02 PM
Andy Hill's Avatar
Andy Hill Andy Hill is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Hi Scott

Thanks for the insight you have provided. Within the limitations of what you can say:
  1. Has this been observed in any RV-8s?
  2. How can one inspect 'Carefully inspect for cracks emanating from the stress relief notch at the inboard end of the forward horizontal stabilizer spar flanges' when the RV-8 does not have such notches?
It can be read a number of ways - the RV-8 design is most at risk since the notches were (unintentionally?) omitted? Or the RV-8 has just been lumped in since it is a "similar" design?

Thanks in advance...
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  #42  
Old 02-01-2014, 01:23 PM
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rvbuilder2002 rvbuilder2002 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV Wannabe View Post
I have a -4 so this doesn't apply, but since I didn't build it will inspect just to learn more about it.

I do have one question concerning the SB:

Method of Compliance:
Inspection: Remove the Empennage fairing. Carefully inspect for cracks emanating from the stress relief notch at the inboard end of the forward horizontal stabilizer spar flanges. (see Figure 1 and figure 3). Clean the area and remove any paint, overspray or primer that could hide a crack. Cracks may be very small and hard to detect.

Doesn't this mean if no cracks are found and it has primer or paint, then you have to remove said primer or paint and inspect again? If you find the crack before removing the primer/ paint you obviously have the work to do. Or possibly when one purchases a plane in the future, if there is a notch, and no doubler, and primer/paint is there the SB has never been complied with?

I don't know, just one way of interpreting it.
Mark
The surface condition in that area could vary widely , from no primer or paint at all; to such a heavy buildup that it would be impossible for anyone to detect a crack.
It is a general statement expecting the inspector to use judgement.
If someone has no experience with detecting cracks in aircraft structure, it might be a good idea to ask someone else with experience to take a look at it.
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  #43  
Old 02-01-2014, 01:26 PM
RV Wannabe RV Wannabe is offline
 
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That makes sense. Thanks.

Mark
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  #44  
Old 02-01-2014, 01:26 PM
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Scremm Scremm is offline
 
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Inspected my RV8a this morning before putting 2.2 hours to fly up Maine to land on a lake. After cleaning any primer and using 20x magnification I found no indications of any cracks. My RV does not have a relief notch in the inspection area.

I will re-investigate during the May annual.

~345 hours since initial flight in 2009
O-360-A1A
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  #45  
Old 02-01-2014, 01:27 PM
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newtech newtech is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by newtech View Post
Heading over to the hangar now to have a look. I went over this area pretty closely when the discussions about the vertical stab were going on.
RV-7A
O-360-A1A
3 Blade Catto
Landoll Harmonic Balancer
Based on grass field
S/N 70362
Flying since 2009
400 TT

No cracks but ordering 5 SB kits for the 7's and 8's at my field (3EV). Going to do mine as a part of April's EAA Chapter 21 meeting.
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Last edited by newtech : 02-02-2014 at 04:23 PM.
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  #46  
Old 02-01-2014, 01:29 PM
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rvbuilder2002 rvbuilder2002 is offline
 
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Location: Hubbard Oregon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy Hill View Post
Hi Scott

Thanks for the insight you have provided. Within the limitations of what you can say:
  1. Has this been observed in any RV-8s?
  2. How can one inspect 'Carefully inspect for cracks emanating from the stress relief notch at the inboard end of the forward horizontal stabilizer spar flanges' when the RV-8 does not have such notches?
It can be read a number of ways - the RV-8 design is most at risk since the notches were (unintentionally?) omitted? Or the RV-8 has just been lumped in since it is a "similar" design?

Thanks in advance...
Question 1 - Yes
Question 2 - If a crack exists, it will likely emanate from the relief notch (as depicted in the SB photo) or the corner made at the point where the end of the spar flange interfaces with the spar web (where the relief notch would be if there was one), so this is where you should focus your attention (top and bottom, both sides).

I don't think the RV-8 is anymore prone to have cracks, but until there is reports, after a lot more of the fleet inspected, we wont know for sure.
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Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.

Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")

Last edited by rvbuilder2002 : 02-01-2014 at 01:33 PM.
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  #47  
Old 02-01-2014, 01:40 PM
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bhester bhester is offline
 
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Location: Hopkinsville, KY
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Exclamation Not actually complied with

Quote:
Originally Posted by curtis View Post
With the weather making it a no fly day?
Just finished complying with the SB, no defects noted.
A/C TT: 356.7 hrs
Annual inspection was completed, SB was was not complied with. Unless you manufactured the parts and installed them. Just a clarification.
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  #48  
Old 02-01-2014, 01:49 PM
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rvbuilder2002 rvbuilder2002 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bhester View Post
Annual inspection was completed, SB was was not complied with. Unless you manufactured the parts and installed them. Just a clarification.
I don't think that is a correct statement.
The SB says inspect, and if cracks are found, install the doubler parts.
If an inspection is done, and no cracks are found, The SB says reinspect at the next condition inspection. So the SB has been complied with until the next required condition inspection comes due. In the industry, this is referred to as a recurring inspection.
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Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.

Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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  #49  
Old 02-01-2014, 01:50 PM
vic syracuse vic syracuse is offline
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Default Start a polling thread?

An RV-6 which I built in 2000 and currently has 1200 hours on it was inspected today and found to have cracks on both sides as depicted in the service bulletin.
I agree that we should start a polling thread which will indicate:

Type aircraft
Hours flown
Cracks yes/no
One side/both sides

Others might think of some other info. Doug?

I doubt anyone really looked closely in these areas prior, so there's no telling if the cracks occurred at 1199 hours or earlier.

Vic
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  #50  
Old 02-01-2014, 02:10 PM
Frank Smidler Frank Smidler is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Stoughton, WI
Posts: 473
Default Not all have easy access for an inspection

Van recommends a removable empenage fairings for easy inspection. Last summer I saw an RV-6 tied down in Middleton, WI which had the fairing glassed in place. My immediate reaction was that this is not good as the area should be inspected annually. Talking to the locals it appears the aircraft was not built by the current owner. I did not get a chance to meet the owner and discuss this issue but I hope he checks VAF or Van's web site and sees this new SB. I think we owe it to the our community to discuss this SB with new RV aquantances, especially those who did not build and/or are not regularly on VAF.
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