Sorry, but the compressed air idea is a poor one. Inexperience w/ this
solution is highly likely to cause a bigger problem.

1. It's very possible that the tubes come off the socket connection at
a 90 degree angle to the axis of the socket. Probably 90 degrees down.
This may explain why things only go in 4" and stop - you've hit the
back of the socket.

2. Get a flashlight and see if you can see some debris in the socket.
If so then get a piece of wire say 1/32 - 1/16 in diameter and see if
you can break it up bit by bit. Be careful around the inside wall of
the socket as there are probably a couple of o-rings in shallow grooves
which you don't want to nick or cut.

3. Use a vacuum source and suck the debris out. (Disconnect any
attached instruments first...) This won't jam the debris tighter into
place and won't blow the tubing off the back end of the fitting. If you
blow the tube off the fitting (possible w/ compressed air) you'll be
cutting a hole in the fuse to fix it.

I've never actually tried this last suggestion, but it probably is worth
considering if you think the pluggage is actually in the tubing, not the
fitting. You might consider getting some 3/32 stranded cable and work
backwards through the tube from the cockpit end. If you spin the cable
gently as you go backwards it may be possible to roto rooter the
blockage out.

No matter what you try, go slow and gentle.

Good luck.



Marc Ramsey wrote:
Serge Serfaty wrote:

It looks to me that it could be a Prandlt tube.


My ventus B had a combination pitot/static probe at that location. It
is likely plugged by an insect that uses mud to build a nest. I've
cleared similar fittings by disconnecting the instruments, and using a
compressed air bottle to blow out the debris. Don't seal the compressed
air nozzle against the fitting, or you may blow the tubing off inside
the fin.

Marc