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Check your Gear legs

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xfire

Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 16

Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:32 am Post subject: Check your Gear legs

Well yesterday started off great. I went out to the airport with my brother and changed out the radiator and put a shroud on it so he can control the airflow and regulate the temp. We did a runup and burped the system then off we went. after shooting a few off airport landings we headed over to a friends airstrip. The initial touchdown was not super smooth, but nothing to note either. My brother hollers into the headset that the left gear just folded and to hang on its gonna be a rough one.. He hit the mags and held in full right aileron to hold the left side off as long as possible. I see the windshield fill full of dirt then we settle back down right side up. 



Shut off gas, made sure ELT was not activated then climb out ( I love the 4 point harness..much better than the single shoulder strap in my pacer when it went in). we pick up on the strut, pull the left gear back under it and tie it off with a short piece of rope then push it off the strip. Turns out, the gear leg had been broken about 1/2 was through for some time as the crack was nice and rusty and the metal was nice and rounded where it had been rubbing and pounding together. This is right where the bungies wrap around the gear leg. I will get a pic of it later on and post it up so you can see the break. I would pull your bungies and get the legs checked out before you get the oprotunity to elevate your heart rate and practice your fiberglassing skills. 



The damage to the plane was cracked both fiberglass wingtips, got 2 blades off the IVO and cracked up the lower cowling. The new radiator and shroud took a good beating but can be repaired and the fuse gets a bit of fabric work to get rid of the new bomb bay hatch the gear leg and wheel installed in it. 



More later....

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kitfoxmike

Joined: 05 Dec 2006
Posts: 373

Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:35 am Post subject: Re: Check your Gear legs

Now that this has happened concider the grove gear, a little heavier, but it sure handles the rough landings.  I've landed where the plane flat out stalled 10ft off the runway and had a solid landing on the mains, no bounce, with no damage what so ever to the landing gear, cool stuff.  Glad you made out like you did on the landing.  I've had my landing gear break on the tube gear simular to yours, not fun.

Lynn Matteson

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan

Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 1:37 pm Post subject: Check your Gear legs

Did I mention that I have the Grove gear, and I consider this is the  

one part (besides being in a Kitfox) that saved my bacon during my  

recent harsh landing?  And thanks to this group, and mainly Rex from  

the Big Pond, I was informed about the Grove gear, bought one and  

haven't been sorry. My flight instructor also says that as much abuse  

as I put this through during my early hours is a testimony to the  

Grove gear.



Lynn

On Apr 24, 2007, at 1:35 PM, kitfoxmike wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <customtrans(at)qwest.net>



 Now that this has happened concider the grove gear, a little  

 heavier, but it sure handles the rough landings.  I've landed where  

 the plane flat out stalled 10ft off the runway and had a solid  

 landing on the mains, no bounce, with no damage what so ever to the  

 landing gear, cool stuff.  Glad you made out like you did on the  

 landing.  I've had my landing gear break on the tube gear simular  

 to yours, not fun.



 --------

 kitfoxmike

 model IV, 1200

 speedster

 912ul

 Do not archive





 Read this topic online here:



 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=108957#108957

_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM

Bob

Joined: 24 Oct 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Damascus, Maryland, USA

Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 1:50 pm Post subject: Re: Check your Gear legs

Bummer, glad that you guys didn't go over and are OK.  

Due to the propstrike, call one of the Rotax shops for the latest tolerance on propshaft runout, as the tolerance is quite tight and important.  Something like a half-thou, by memory.  They also will have guidance on propstrike inspection for you.

Bob

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Remember that internet advice may only be worth what you pay.

xfire

Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 16

Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:58 pm Post subject: Re: Check your Gear legs

engine was shut down when the prop hit and it has a clutch, so there is no direct drive.  He will check the runout on the crank just to make sure though.

kitfoxfugit(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:10 pm Post subject: Check your Gear legs

Subject: Re: Re: Check your Gear legs

[Grove Gear]



	I have to second the favorable comments on the Grove

gear.  I went to it after putting up with a squirrly

bungee gear far too long.  Finally, a bungee broke. 

With the Grove gear, it taxies straight, isn't wobbly

or springy, just lands straight, even in a crosswind. 

Whether you flare too low, run into the ground and

bounce back up or flare too high, all you have to do

is hold the stick back and let it drop in.  The gear

absorbs it, but is not stiff, either.



	The Grove gear is cheaper than the repairs occasioned

by the bungee gear, I figured.  I weighed the bungee

gear, with brakes, tires, and wheels, but without

bungees or wheel pants, and could not see much

difference from the Grove gear.  I didn't see any

difference in speed either, but left the wheel pants

off.  Mine has real airplane wheels and tires on it,

too, and dual caliper brakes that will handle tundra

tires when I am ready to go there.  Now, what about

some little fenders to keep the mud off the wings and

tail?



John Allen

Kitfox IV Speedster, 912 UL, in CA



__________________________________________________

kitfoxfugit(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:10 pm Post subject: Check your Gear legs

Subject: Re: Re: Check your Gear legs

[Grove Gear]



	I have to second the favorable comments on the Grove

gear.  I went to it after putting up with a squirrly

bungee gear far too long.  Finally, a bungee broke. 

With the Grove gear, it taxies straight, isn't wobbly

or springy, just lands straight, even in a crosswind. 

Whether you flare too low, run into the ground and

bounce back up or flare too high, all you have to do

is hold the stick back and let it drop in.  The gear

absorbs it, but is not stiff, either.



	The Grove gear is cheaper than the repairs occasioned

by the bungee gear, I figured.  I weighed the bungee

gear, with brakes, tires, and wheels, but without

bungees or wheel pants, and could not see much

difference from the Grove gear.  I didn't see any

difference in speed either, but left the wheel pants

off.  Mine has real airplane wheels and tires on it,

too, and dual caliper brakes that will handle tundra

tires when I am ready to go there.  Now, what about

some little fenders to keep the mud off the wings and

tail?



John Allen

Kitfox IV Speedster, 912 UL, in CA



__________________________________________________

xfire

Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 16

Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 10:37 pm Post subject: Re: Check your Gear legs

Thanks for the grove gear tips... the intent of the post was to make guys aware that there could be a crack in the the gear UNDER THE BUNGIES that you CANT SEE.  This post is for those who have the bungie gear in hopes it may save someone a bit of repair time, frustration and possibly harm.

Guy Buchanan

Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 1204
Location: Ramona, CA

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:12 am Post subject: Check your Gear legs

At 11:37 PM 4/26/2007, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  This post is for those who have the bungie gear in hopes it may save 

someone a bit of repair time, frustration and possibly harm.


	


         Hi Leonard. Thanks for the information on the tube gear. I 

use it and like it just fine and will be careful to inspect it under 

the bungies.

         Would you please put your full name, approximate location, 

aircraft and engine type, and build / flying status in your 

signature? Mike and I are trying to make the place a little more 

friendly and the information helps people get to know each other a 

little better.



Thanks,

Guy Buchanan, Kitfox List Moderator

San Diego, CA

K-IV 1200 / 582-C / Warp / 100% done, thanks mostly to Bob Ducar.

_________________
Guy Buchanan
Deceased K-IV 1200
A glider pilot too.

Guy Buchanan

Joined: 16 Jul 2006
Posts: 1204
Location: Ramona, CA

Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2007 7:39 am Post subject: Check your Gear legs

Apologies to Leonard. The following post was supposed to be sent directly.



Guy



At 11:37 PM 4/26/2007, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  This post is for those who have the bungie gear in hopes it may save 

someone a bit of repair time, frustration and possibly harm.


	


         Hi Leonard. Thanks for the information on the tube gear. I 

use it and like it just fine and will be careful to inspect it under 

the bungies.

         Would you please put your full name, approximate location, 

aircraft and engine type, and build / flying status in your 

signature? Mike and I are trying to make the place a little more 

friendly and the information helps people get to know each other a 

little better.



Thanks,

Guy Buchanan, Kitfox List Moderator

San Diego, CA

K-IV 1200 / 582-C / Warp / 100% done, thanks mostly to Bob Ducar.



DO NOT ARCHIVE

_________________
Guy Buchanan
Deceased K-IV 1200
A glider pilot too.

Michel

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 966
Location: Norway

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 8:52 am Post subject: Check your Gear legs

On Apr 27, 2007, at 8:37 AM, xfire wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   the intent of the post was to make guys aware that there could be a 

 crack in the the gear UNDER THE BUNGIES that you CANT SEE.


	


Do you have any photo to share with us? In advance, thank you very much.



Michel Verheughe

Norway

Kitfox 3 - Jabiru



do not archive

_________________
Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

xfire

Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 16

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 10:37 pm Post subject: Re: Check your Gear legs

the third pic in the original post is the stub of the gear leg that broke off..  You may have to read it onthe forum for it to show.

Michel

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 966
Location: Norway

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 12:46 am Post subject: Check your Gear legs

 	  Quote: 	
		   From: xfire [leonard.perry(at)acsalaska.net]

 the third pic in the original post is the stub of the gear leg that broke off..  

 You may have to read it onthe forum for it to show.


	


Thank you, I have now seen your photos on the forum. Scary stuff! I don't understand how it can break at that point but it did, you are the proof of it. Thanks for sharing.



Cheers,

Michel Verheughe

Norway

Kitfox 3 - Jabiru



do not archive

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_________________
Kitfox 3 - Jabiru 2200

xfire

Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 16

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:46 am Post subject: Re: Check your Gear legs

The break was right at the toe of the weld.  When I first started welding 4130 I was replacing the tail post and lower longerons on a PA12.  The tail cluster was a major PITA but when I got done it looked very nice.  I did a dye check and all was well.. 3-4 days later the tail cluster was cracked all up.  After talking to the local gurus it was determined that by using the TIG process, the heat affected zone was very small and the 4130 didnot like it.  I now preheat to 500 deg.  max interpass temp of 700 and when the welding is complete wrap with insulation till it is cooled to room temp.  I have never had another welding related issue since doing this.

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