Hi XC Triker, Yes its a Bolly prop. Airborne have them delivered from Bolly as part of the manufacturing process. No there was no indication of a bad batch.
The owner was trained to do a very good visual pre-flight and de-flight. This is where the problem was found.
The Pilot had a thought after finding the split that this may have happened at the airfield the aircraft was hangar at. This was not the case.
I believe this may be a birth defect, as no other blade shows any problem.
YFT, I wasn't taught Post-Flight check. We always do preflight though.
What is that really for? Is it to check that your aircraft should be ready for the next flight, and to find out if there were any mishaps along the way on the last flight/s? What sort of things do you check - obviously prop damage. And I would myself check the wing and other loaded structures. But not oil, fuel contamination and coolant surely.
I know (from experience) that there is nothing worse than getting up really early to go flying, to find there is a problem with the aircraft that means there will be no flying today! (My problem wouldn't have been picked up in a post flight either).
Hi CrayonBox, I alway train my student to have a very good look at the aircraft after landing. This is were you will find out if anything has gone wrong, or is about to go wrong. You should have a good walk around the aircraft checking everything but the hot bits, you can look at them but don't touch them. You could find a spring or lock wire has broken.
My Students are told to make sure that they leave the aircraft the same way they found it. Its good airmanship. This is how Steve found the damaged blade. He could have just done a walk around and looked but not seen the damage. But he stayed true to his training and as he bent down to look under the engine to see if any springs had gone he saw the inner side of the blade.
I have seen a number of pilots get out of their aircraft and walk away only to fine a part liying on the inside of there cowling which means no flying for them. If they had of looked they could have got it repaired the same day.
Comments
This is a Bolly prop. It's purchased by manufacturers of aircraft other than Airborne also, no?
Is there any indications that there was a bad batch, or was this one blade on one machine?
Is there anything the owner could do to exacerbate this, or is this assumed to be a birth defect?
Its like an electrical discharge ( heating from the inside). Such as a lightning strike. Just an unlikely suggestion.
Hi XC Triker, Yes its a Bolly prop. Airborne have them delivered from Bolly as part of the manufacturing process. No there was no indication of a bad batch.
The owner was trained to do a very good visual pre-flight and de-flight. This is where the problem was found.
The Pilot had a thought after finding the split that this may have happened at the airfield the aircraft was hangar at. This was not the case.
I believe this may be a birth defect, as no other blade shows any problem.
Thanks CrayonBox, You are right it does look like that, but the weather was clear and no dry lightning around.
One of a kind then - hopefully.
YFT, I wasn't taught Post-Flight check. We always do preflight though.
What is that really for? Is it to check that your aircraft should be ready for the next flight, and to find out if there were any mishaps along the way on the last flight/s? What sort of things do you check - obviously prop damage. And I would myself check the wing and other loaded structures. But not oil, fuel contamination and coolant surely.
I know (from experience) that there is nothing worse than getting up really early to go flying, to find there is a problem with the aircraft that means there will be no flying today! (My problem wouldn't have been picked up in a post flight either).
Hi CrayonBox, I alway train my student to have a very good look at the aircraft after landing. This is were you will find out if anything has gone wrong, or is about to go wrong. You should have a good walk around the aircraft checking everything but the hot bits, you can look at them but don't touch them. You could find a spring or lock wire has broken.
My Students are told to make sure that they leave the aircraft the same way they found it. Its good airmanship. This is how Steve found the damaged blade. He could have just done a walk around and looked but not seen the damage. But he stayed true to his training and as he bent down to look under the engine to see if any springs had gone he saw the inner side of the blade.
I have seen a number of pilots get out of their aircraft and walk away only to fine a part liying on the inside of there cowling which means no flying for them. If they had of looked they could have got it repaired the same day.
All the best
Peter
Thanks Peter, I help that helps a lot of other people like me too. Totally agree with leaving the aircraft as you found it. Cheers.
Really good catch finding that. Could have made for a real bad flight on the next one.