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Bungee Gear Leg

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corbob13

Joined: 02 Apr 2008
Posts: 18
Location: Pulaski, WI

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject: Bungee Gear Leg

Guys,

I recent bought and, just on Sunday, started flying a Kitfox Model II.  I've flown in it a few times, but no take-offs or landings.  On Sunday I was out with my instructor (working on my tailwheel endorsement) and on our first landing the left side gear leg collapsed during roll out.  The field was soft, as was the landing, but the plane just tipped onto its side.  Luckily no damage other than the gear.



I assume it is the result of fatigue from earlier poor landings.  I looked the plane over quite thoroughly before buying and noticed nothing, as well as during the preflight.  Has there been an issue with the gear on the Model IIs?



Most importantly is there someone out there who has a set of legs, or just the left, and would be willing to sell it?  Kitfox Aircraft can't help, I've already called them; all they can offer is a new spring gear, for which I currently don't have the money.    If no one has a used gear available are there any other sources of parts for me?  My last resort is fabricating a new leg, which I can do if I must, but I'd prefer to buy something complete.

_________________
Cory

N903DB
Kitfox Model II, Rotax 582

thesupe(at)hotmail.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject: Bungee Gear Leg

You might try Airdale/Avid,  the early Kitfox was an Avid copy (here we go again)  and perhaps the gear legs are the same.  Leave Steve a message and he should get back to you. Their number is 1-208-459-6254    Jim Chuk  Avids  Mn.

 	  Quote: 	
		   Subject: Bungee Gear Leg

 From: corbob13(at)netnet.net

 Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 18:09:48 -0700

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: "corbob13" <corbob13(at)netnet.net>

 Guys,

 I recent bought and, just on Sunday, started flying a Kitfox Model II. I've flown in it a few times, but no take-offs or landings. On Sunday I was out with my instructor (working on my tailwheel endorsement) and on our first landing the left side gear leg collapsed during roll out. The field was soft, as was the landing, but the plane just tipped onto its side. Luckily no damage other than the gear.

 I assume it is the result of fatigue from earlier poor landings. I looked the plane over quite thoroughly before buying and noticed nothing, as well as during the preflight. Has there been an issue with the gear on the Model IIs?

 Most importantly is there someone out there who has a set of legs, or just the left, and would be willing to sell it? Kitfox Aircraft can't help, I've already called them; all they can offer is a new spring gear, for which I currently don't have the money. If no one has a used gear available are there any other sources of parts for me? My last resort is fabricating a new leg, which I can do if I must, but I'd prefer to buy something complete.

 --------

 Cory

 N906DB

 Kitfox Model II, Rotax 582

 Read this topic online here:

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=174461#174461

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MichaelGibbs(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject: Bungee Gear Leg

Jim sez:



 	  Quote: 	
		  ...the early Kitfox was an Avid copy (here we go again)...


	


Then why start it again?



Mike G.

thesupe(at)hotmail.com
Guest

Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:37 pm Post subject: Bungee Gear Leg

Don't mean to start a fight, he seemed new to Kitfoxes and might wonder why I said try Avid for a Kitfox gear leg.     Do not archive  Jim Chuk Avids  Mn



[quote] Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 20:54:34 -0700

 To: kitfox-list(at)matronics.com

 From: MichaelGibbs(at)cox.net

 Subject: RE: Bungee Gear Leg

 

 --> Kitfox-List message posted by: Michael Gibbs <MichaelGibbs(at)cox.net>

 

 Jim sez:

 

 >...the early Kitfox was an Avid copy (here we go again)...

 

 Then why start it again======

 

 

 

More immediate than e-mail? Get instant access with Windows Live Messenger.   	  Quote: 	
		  [b]

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:27 am Post subject: Re: Bungee Gear Leg

 	  Quote: 	
		  Quote: 

...the early Kitfox was an Avid copy (here we go again)... 

 



Then why start it again? 



Mike G.

	




What is the point ? The posting was about Gear Leg so why go on your banter about the Kitfox /Avid story ? Just ask Dean Wilson how it started he willl give you an honest answer? 



Seems like since Mc Bean has no interest in helping out  then I would bet Steve Winder at Airdale would.   I thought Murle Williams was a well rounded Kitfox guy too?   



I have a set of KF 2 Gear on hand here now but IT a customers and I could certainly make a new gear for him if no one else can.   What would a fair price be for a  Tube gear ?

_________________
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Tom Jones

Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:42 am Post subject: Re: Bungee Gear Leg

 	  corbob13 wrote: 	
		  Guys,

I recent bought and, just on Sunday, started flying a Kitfox Model II.  I've flown in it a few times, but no take-offs or landings.  On Sunday I was out with my instructor (working on my tailwheel endorsement) and on our first landing the left side gear leg collapsed during roll out.  The field was soft, as was the landing, but the plane just tipped onto its side.  Luckily no damage other than the gear.



I assume it is the result of fatigue from earlier poor landings.  I looked the plane over quite thoroughly before buying and noticed nothing, as well as during the preflight.  Has there been an issue with the gear on the Model IIs?

	




Cory,

The tube gear is prone to breaking if the plane is landed in a crab and could have been weakened by landings made this way before you purchased it.  Is your instructor experienced with landing the Kitfox?  The engine cowl tapers significantly from the rear to the nose and gives the pilot the impression the plane is in a crab when it is straight and vise versa.  being a relatively new kitfox pilot myself I can attest that this illusion is real.  There was a post a few years ago from a Kitfox owner that was taking a flight review in his own kitfox and had  to make a few landings to convince his instructor and even then the instructor tried to touch down with the plane in a crab.



Before I flew my kitfox the first time I stood behind it and lined the  airoplane's centerline up with a water tower about 400 yards away.  I then sat in the seat and made a mark on the windshield that lined up on the water tower.  When landing this line must be lined up on the runway centerline.



A picture of my "Kitfox landing site line is attached".

Kitfox landing sight line.jpg

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_________________
Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA

Last edited by Tom Jones on Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:59 am; edited 1 time in total

dave.wahlquist(at)ics.uwe
Guest

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:05 am Post subject: Bungee Gear Leg

Cory,



Cory or others,



If you could post some pictures of the broken gear it may help others

when we double check our own gear legs for problems.

Dave Wahlquist

Marshall WI

Kitfox Model III

Rotax 582

N844KF

--

jdmcbean(at)kitfoxaircraf
Guest

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:33 am Post subject: Bungee Gear Leg

Cory,

	I apologize if there was a miss understanding... We can help..  I would be

nice to have your collapsed gear so that we could verify what you have.



Contact me off list.

Fly Safe !!

John & Debra McBean

208.337.5111

www.kitfoxaircraft.com

"It's not how Fast... It's how Fun!"



--

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject: Re: Bungee Gear Leg

 	  Quote: 	
		  Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:33 am    Post subject: Bungee Gear Leg   



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Cory, 

I apologize if there was a miss understanding... We can help.. I would be 

nice to have your collapsed gear so that we could verify what you have. 



Contact me off list. 

Fly Safe !! 

John & Debra McBean 

 

	




Glad to hear you can help  John.   I thought it was odd that you were not supporting Kitfox parts.

corbob13

Joined: 02 Apr 2008
Posts: 18
Location: Pulaski, WI

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 6:05 pm Post subject: Re: Bungee Gear Leg

Some pics attached.



It was pretty strange.  As I said, the landing was not bad, and the field was pretty soft, but right after touching down we heard a snap and the plane just kind of leaned over.



You can see in the pictures that the tube on the leading edge of the leg is bent and the strut that reaches up toward the bungees is cracked near its confluence with the rest of the gear.  The fabric damage is the result of our official investigation, not the incident itself.  No corrosion was found, and the crack in the strut appears fresh.



Luckily that's all that broke; we could have pretty easily wiped the radiator off the bottom of the plane or had a prop strike.



Cory

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_________________
Cory

N903DB
Kitfox Model II, Rotax 582

Tom Jones

Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 5:19 am Post subject: Re: Bungee Gear Leg

Cory,

Thanks for posting the pictures of the collapsed gear leg.  I see that the tube without a fairing attached is the one that failed.  I was just wondering if epoxying a wood fairing on that front tube also would strengthen it.  It shouldn't be too visible as long as the gear is covered.



If you haven't found them yet here is a direct link to a service letter on thew gear legs.  http://www.kitfoxaircraft.com/support/service_letters/sl48.htm

_________________
Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:11 am Post subject: Bungee Gear Leg

I think I'd replace the whole gear leg.  The cluster joints at the top

inside and the axel have been compromised and I wouldn't trust them.  I

expect it would be easier to weld up another leg from scratch.



Did you hit anything in flight???  It looks like a bird strike without the

usual blood.



Noel



--

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

corbob13

Joined: 02 Apr 2008
Posts: 18
Location: Pulaski, WI

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:15 am Post subject: Re: Bungee Gear Leg

Thanks to everyone on the list who replied to me off list I found a replacement, so I don't need the repair.  I do agree that a repair would probably not have been a great idea.  Every time I'd turn final I'd be wondering if the leg was going to collapse as I touched down.

_________________
Cory

N903DB
Kitfox Model II, Rotax 582

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