So, there I was taxiing into HBC at OshKosh.....
My Engine was hot and surging from sitting on the taxiway as the orange vested scooter marshal turned into the grass at HBC. The scooter marshal got a little ahead of me about 75 yards, hopped off the scooter and stood at the front of my parking spot. Usually it's a 90 degree turn to park, but because of a soft spot in the row behind they were directing airplanes in front of the parking row requiring a 270 degree turn to park.
I didn't want to blast the airplanes around me trying to make the big turn into parking so I started an early shallow turn into the open grassy area and "KaThump!" I saw a flash of blue and saw this go flying out of the corner of my eye.
It made me kinda sick to my stomach as I pulled the mixture to idle cut-off. Initial inspection of the prop showed 2 blades of the Catto 3 blade caught the cone, a little melted blue plastic on the nickel leading edges and some hairline scratches or cracks aft of the nickel leading edge.
Thankfully I recognized an airplane/trusted A&P from VAF camping just down the row from me. Thank You Walt of ExpAircraft for your time, expertise and advice.
It seemed the prop was OK, just surface scratches. I made my first leg after leaving OSH 30 minutes to inspect to prop and do breakfast. No issues on the remaining 3 hours home. I was in contact with Catto at OSH and plan on keeping an even closer eye on the prop.
I'm going to be down right paranoid about taxiing, especially in open areas from now on. Stay weary and fly safe.
My Engine was hot and surging from sitting on the taxiway as the orange vested scooter marshal turned into the grass at HBC. The scooter marshal got a little ahead of me about 75 yards, hopped off the scooter and stood at the front of my parking spot. Usually it's a 90 degree turn to park, but because of a soft spot in the row behind they were directing airplanes in front of the parking row requiring a 270 degree turn to park.
I didn't want to blast the airplanes around me trying to make the big turn into parking so I started an early shallow turn into the open grassy area and "KaThump!" I saw a flash of blue and saw this go flying out of the corner of my eye.
It made me kinda sick to my stomach as I pulled the mixture to idle cut-off. Initial inspection of the prop showed 2 blades of the Catto 3 blade caught the cone, a little melted blue plastic on the nickel leading edges and some hairline scratches or cracks aft of the nickel leading edge.
Thankfully I recognized an airplane/trusted A&P from VAF camping just down the row from me. Thank You Walt of ExpAircraft for your time, expertise and advice.
It seemed the prop was OK, just surface scratches. I made my first leg after leaving OSH 30 minutes to inspect to prop and do breakfast. No issues on the remaining 3 hours home. I was in contact with Catto at OSH and plan on keeping an even closer eye on the prop.
I'm going to be down right paranoid about taxiing, especially in open areas from now on. Stay weary and fly safe.