JackinMichigan
Well Known Member
Had me a bit of a scare today.
Took my RV-10 up for the first time after it's annual inspection. I was about to turn on the downwind leg of the pattern when suddenly the engine started running very rough. My first thought was that something was off balance as the whole plane began shaking (not severely, but enough to have my undivided attention).
I immediately throttled down, turned around as fast as I could, and landed on the opposide end of the runway I had just taken off from. Once safely on the ground I throttled up as fast as I could with the brakes on (about 2400rpm) and the engine was running as smooth as could be. No sign of that shaking.
I called an A&P friend and he said there was likely condensation in the tanks and the engine had sucked up a bit of water. I had borrowed a heated hangar to do my annual and the temp outside was about 25F, and the tanks were about half-full.
This seemed like a completely plausable explaination, so before I tear the cowl off I'd like to know if anyone else has other things (or other theories) I can inspect before I take her up again.
Took my RV-10 up for the first time after it's annual inspection. I was about to turn on the downwind leg of the pattern when suddenly the engine started running very rough. My first thought was that something was off balance as the whole plane began shaking (not severely, but enough to have my undivided attention).
I immediately throttled down, turned around as fast as I could, and landed on the opposide end of the runway I had just taken off from. Once safely on the ground I throttled up as fast as I could with the brakes on (about 2400rpm) and the engine was running as smooth as could be. No sign of that shaking.
I called an A&P friend and he said there was likely condensation in the tanks and the engine had sucked up a bit of water. I had borrowed a heated hangar to do my annual and the temp outside was about 25F, and the tanks were about half-full.
This seemed like a completely plausable explaination, so before I tear the cowl off I'd like to know if anyone else has other things (or other theories) I can inspect before I take her up again.