Flat Nose Wheel Tire on Landing in a 9A

N42AH · #1 02-01-2009, 08:12 PM

Today after a 2.5 hr flight from Pinehurst (KSOP) to Atlanta (20GA) I landed and my nose wheel was flat. After lots of help to get it back to the hangar, I discovered a very small slit (1/16 in) in the side wall of the tube. I had to inflate the tube and submerge it in water to find the hole.

I have been searching the site for tire and tube recommendations. My thinking is the Airstop tube and a Desser re-tread.

What say you all and where did you purchase your tires and tubes.

AlexPeterson · #2 02-01-2009, 08:22 PM

You have exactly one choice for tube, unless someone is now producing them in the last year. There is also no alternative to the tire either. With all the A model Van's flying, one would hope that one of the name brands would pick up the size.

The slit you described is the classic failure. I had two or three in the first few years, none since. I did two things, and I'm not sure if one or the other or both did the trick. First, keep air pressure up at 30 or more. Second, completely coat the inside of the tire with baby powder. Also, cover the outside of the tube. It seems as though the tube progressively stretches more and more with the tire's flexing, unable to "relax" between cycles. This is perhaps why the higher pressure and baby powder work.

N42AH · #3 02-01-2009, 08:25 PM

Thanks Alex

What is my one choice for tire and tube?

AlexPeterson · #4 02-01-2009, 08:37 PM

Van's. I always have two tubes on hand - one in the plane and another at the hangar.

You can probably buy them at other suppliers, but they still won't be name brands, probably the same as the ones Van's sells. It wouldn't hurt to search, it has been about a year since I last checked.

I would suspect if you are in a jam, someone nearby has one until your replacement arrives.

David Clifford · #5 02-01-2009, 08:45 PM

I just replaced all three tires and tubes on my C-152. The tires were going bald and they were loosing air needing fill about once a week. I originally leaned towards the "Monster" retreads by Desser (FREE SHIPPING) but they were out of my size at the time I called so I ordered the Airhawks from them. A couple weeks later I was at my AP's shop and he had a set of the Monsters to put on a plane in for annual. I took a look at them They looked horrible! Glad I went with Airhawks. A lot less tread depth but my landings are good enough now that they should last as long as I own the plane. I had them send what I think they call the Airstopper tubes. Aviation Consumer rates the Monsters as a best buy, but I am still happy I went with the Airhawks which are rated very high also. I wonder about age of the rubber on the tubes. The Cozy MKIV I built recently had a flat on a main and had less than 65 hours on it. I purchased the tires and tubes 7 years before they were put in service. The tube that went flat looked like it had been slit by a razor knife a hunred times it had so many cracks in it. We figure it was defective from the factory or deteriorated with age. And yes, it was installed and mounted correctly using talc powder.

rvbuilder2002 · #6 02-01-2009, 08:50 PM

Because of the tube is not something commonly available at an FBO parts counter, the finish kit from van's has typically contained two nose wheel tubes so that you have a spare to carry. If you built the plane, check around in your shop. You may still have another tube.

After posting I noticed in your signature you are the third owner so disregard the above...
When you do get a replacement, get at least two so you have a spare to carry.

tmillican · #7 03-27-2010, 04:44 PM

I discovered the "keep a spare nose tire tube" the hard way as well. I was giving hops around the pattern to a bunch of school kids on Thursday, and on the very last flight of the day (landing #20 of the day!) I had a flat on taxi back to the ramp. (afterwards, I wished it had happened after about #5, as I was totally exhausted.)

Unfortunately this occurred at 4:45pm, away from home base, and no FBO on the field had that size of tube.

Lessons learned the hard way.

Troy

plehrke · #8 03-28-2010, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexPeterson

I did two things, and I'm not sure if one or the other or both did the trick. First, keep air pressure up at 30 or more. Second, completely coat the inside of the tire with baby powder. Also, cover the outside of the tube. It seems as though the tube progressively stretches more and more with the tire's flexing, unable to "relax" between cycles. This is perhaps why the higher pressure and baby powder work.

I would add a third. Keep the nose off the ground on landing. My nose tire looks brand new after 350+ hours. I hold the nose up almost until I am turning off the runway (down to 25 kt). Plenty of control power with the tail to do so. This will help as well on another popular RV nose wheel issue.

Sheldon · #9 03-28-2010, 09:02 AM

I had the nose wheel go flat turning off the runway after a 'school book' landing... Lucky I had a spare tube onboard...and the help of RV'ers at Cottonwood... Same tube problem.. carry a spare for sure..!
Sheldon

stewart smith · #10 03-28-2010, 03:23 PM

Also, inflate and deflate at least two times before you put the valve core in. This gets rid of the wrinkles.