Duo Discus Tech note

"Mark Zivley" wrote in message
...
That would be very unfortunate. It's pretty clear that SH has provided
suitable places to drill holes on the premise that whatever boroscope
used is fairly short. Clearly, the underlying objective is to make sure
that the entire length of the upper spar flange (aft side) is visually
inspected for any areas which didn't get enough resin and therefore
might not be adequately bonded. If you can do that with a 25-30' long
boroscope then you'd be complying with the intent of the tech note. If
you call around to some companies specializing in NDT or perhaps who do
boiler tube inspections, etc. you may find a suitable scope.


It might be possible for a clever person to assemble a makeshift borescope
with a "lipstick" TV camera fitted with a close-up lens and an ultra-bright
LED for illumination. Just tape the camera to the end of a length of PVC
water pipe and insert it into the wing through the root. The wires for the
camera and LED would be neatly routed through the pipe. Wireless cameras
might work too.

I've used tiny CCTV cameras for the internal inspection of engines.

Bill Daniels

Anyone see a first person account of the accident? It sounds like it
might be some good reading. I wonder exactly how the pilots were able
to regain control after the failure?

I'm assuming the accident occurred in Germany. Is there a German
equivalent to www.ntsb.gov where we can read about the accident
report?

-bob

I spoke to a friend and Duo owner today who visited
Southern Sailplanes (the UK agents and repairers) yesterday
where 3 Duos were examined using a small video camera
on a long pole. Apparently the inspections could be
done in 'about 10 minutes' per wing without inspection
holes being drilled in the wing skins.

He tells me that 2 Duos passed and one newish Duo failed.

John Galloway

If you go to the Shempp-Hirth web-site and look at the actual document:
Schempp-Hirth - Appendix to Technical Note No. 396-8/No. 890-3,
http://www.schempp-hirth.com/tmdocs/396-8-489.pdf
and look at page 2, it says:
"REMARK:
If a very long endoscope is available, which enables a safe check of the
bonding, fewer inspection openings (see item 2) may be required."

W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.).
Remove "ic" to reply.


"Mark Zivley" wrote in message
...

Changing the subject just a tad. It's obvious that if one can locate a
boroscope or similar device with a roughly 25 foot reach that it may be
possible to inspect the vast majority of the wing from a single well
placed hole. Those who have begun this process may be able to comment.

Furthermore, if anyone finds a solution which approaches the above
described level of elegance, please do NOT hesitate to post as much
information as possible so that the others may benefit. i.e. make and
model of the boroscope. Any particulars as to technique used for
reaching the necessary corners inside the wing. If there are any issues
with focal distance, etc.

"Mark Stevens" wrote...
And of course although quick, a posting on RAS or an
update on a manufacturers web site does not mean that
everyone affected will find out...

You shouldn't assume those were the only ways those affected were notified. I
received a phone call from Rex Mayes at Williams Soaring Center a full 24 hours
before anything appeared on RAS or the web site. Schempp-Hirth apparently asked
him to contact all Duo owners on the west coast of the US.

BTW, Rex now has an endoscope, and is in the midst of his first inspection...

Marc

Hi Bob,that would be www.bfu-web.de, which is the web page
of the 'investigation office for aviation in/accidents'
in germany. But don´t expect any up-to-date information
there, in that respect it is not comparable to the
NTSB web page...Best regards,MarkusAt 15:12 05 August 2003, Bob Mowry wrote:Anyone see a first person account of the accident?
It sounds like itmight be some good reading. I wonder exactly how the
pilots were ableto regain control after the failure?I'm assuming the accident occurred in Germany. Is
there a Germanequivalent to www.ntsb.gov where we can read about
the accidentreport?-bob

SSA's contact at the FAA's Small Airplane Directorate
reports receiving copies of the Duo Discus TN and German-issued
AD yesterday. These documents and further information
requested of LBA/Schempp Hirth will be reviewed prior
to issuance of a US AD. No estimate on when a US AD
may be issued, but an 'airworthiness concern sheet'
(preliminary to actual AD issuance) is expected this
week.

In terms of what lies ahead, please note that when
a US AD is issued on the basis of a foreign country's
findings, it often adopts the same inspection procedures
and remedies. (So owners who comply with the LBA-issued
AD now stand a good chance of being in compliance with
the US AD whenever it is issued.)

Judy

Marc,

Well put, but not my meaning.. I was not suggesting
that RAS etc were the only ways, just that some people
who owned and operated Duos might not have access,
and that by implication it was important for the formal
channels to operate as well..

Mark

At 16:00 05 August 2003, Marc Ramsey wrote:
'Mark Stevens' wrote...
And of course although quick, a posting on RAS or
an
update on a manufacturers web site does not mean that
everyone affected will find out...

You shouldn't assume those were the only ways those
affected were notified. I
received a phone call from Rex Mayes at Williams Soaring
Center a full 24 hours
before anything appeared on RAS or the web site. Schempp-Hirth
apparently asked
him to contact all Duo owners on the west coast of
the US.

BTW, Rex now has an endoscope, and is in the midst
of his first inspection...

Marc

Bill,

Actually, for $80 U.S. you can get a black and white camera and for $170
you can get color. Just checked what they had at a local electonics
store during lunch and the lens is adjustable to fit the distances that
we'd see in this situation.

Mark

Bill Daniels wrote:
"Mark Zivley" wrote in message
...

That would be very unfortunate. It's pretty clear that SH has provided
suitable places to drill holes on the premise that whatever boroscope
used is fairly short. Clearly, the underlying objective is to make sure
that the entire length of the upper spar flange (aft side) is visually
inspected for any areas which didn't get enough resin and therefore
might not be adequately bonded. If you can do that with a 25-30' long
boroscope then you'd be complying with the intent of the tech note. If
you call around to some companies specializing in NDT or perhaps who do
boiler tube inspections, etc. you may find a suitable scope.



It might be possible for a clever person to assemble a makeshift borescope
with a "lipstick" TV camera fitted with a close-up lens and an ultra-bright
LED for illumination. Just tape the camera to the end of a length of PVC
water pipe and insert it into the wing through the root. The wires for the
camera and LED would be neatly routed through the pipe. Wireless cameras
might work too.

I've used tiny CCTV cameras for the internal inspection of engines.

Bill Daniels

http://www.mars-cam.com/cameras/bull...eras/v2214.htm
-
Mark Navarre
ASW-20 OD
California, USA
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