I have an RV-3, O-320-E2D 150 HP newly rebuilt, Warnke prop, and the spinner just developed a crack. The spinner could be as old as the plane (more than 30 years old) but I don't know, I bought the plan only 2 years ago.
The crack started at the radius about the leading edge of one of the prop blades. I check my spinner carefully at every preflight, so the crack is new I am sure. I stop drilled it immediately, it was about 3/4 inch long, but the crack continued the next flight. It is a little over an inch long now. I am hesitant to stop drill it again, just to see it keep cracking. I won't fly the plane again until I figure this out....
Any suggestions on the best way to fix this AND keep it from happening again? I am based at Spinks (just south of Fort Worth Texas), if repair is recommended, can anyone recommend someone to repair the spinner near there?
Also, what is the best source for a new spinner (aluminum) if I decide to go new rather than repair?
Thanks,
Jim Hogue
RV-3 N1428Z
The crack started at the radius about the leading edge of one of the prop blades. I check my spinner carefully at every preflight, so the crack is new I am sure. I stop drilled it immediately, it was about 3/4 inch long, but the crack continued the next flight. It is a little over an inch long now. I am hesitant to stop drill it again, just to see it keep cracking. I won't fly the plane again until I figure this out....
Any suggestions on the best way to fix this AND keep it from happening again? I am based at Spinks (just south of Fort Worth Texas), if repair is recommended, can anyone recommend someone to repair the spinner near there?
Also, what is the best source for a new spinner (aluminum) if I decide to go new rather than repair?
Thanks,
Jim Hogue
RV-3 N1428Z