Cracked ribs

Piper has a new service bulletin, SB1161 that calls for inspection of
the rib just inboard of the landing gear and aft of the main spar.

http://www.newpiper.com/company/Publ...20Insp-Mod.pdf


The SB requires putting the plane on jacks and removing the gear side
brace and bracket.

As 04T is in for the annual, we figured it was a good time to have the
SB performed. It turns out we have cracks on both sides of the rib and
they're bad enough that the repair kit announced in the SB can't be
used. Solution: two new ribs. Cost for parts: 1.1 AMU. Labor is
unknown at the moment but the shop is putting together an estimate.

At least I can split the repair bill three ways...but it's still gonna
put a dent in the flying funds.

--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL-Instrument Airplane
Arrow N2104T...soon to have two new zinc chromated ribs!

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

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Jack Allison wrote:


Oops...meant to post in r.a.o...bah, stupid fingers!

Piper has a new service bulletin, SB1161 that calls for inspection of
the rib just inboard of the landing gear and aft of the main spar.

http://www.newpiper.com/company/Publ...20Insp-Mod.pdf


The SB requires putting the plane on jacks and removing the gear side
brace and bracket.

As 04T is in for the annual, we figured it was a good time to have the
SB performed. It turns out we have cracks on both sides of the rib and
they're bad enough that the repair kit announced in the SB can't be
used. Solution: two new ribs. Cost for parts: 1.1 AMU. Labor is
unknown at the moment but the shop is putting together an estimate.

At least I can split the repair bill three ways...but it's still gonna
put a dent in the flying funds.




--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL-Instrument Airplane
Arrow N2104T

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

(Remove the obvious from address to reply via e-mail)

Piper has a new service bulletin, SB1161 that calls for inspection of
the rib just inboard of the landing gear and aft of the main spar.

As 04T is in for the annual, we figured it was a good time to have the
SB performed. It turns out we have cracks on both sides of the rib and
they're bad enough that the repair kit announced in the SB can't be
used. Solution: two new ribs. Cost for parts: 1.1 AMU. Labor is
unknown at the moment but the shop is putting together an estimate.

Augh! That really, really sucks, Jack.

Two good things:

1. It sounds like the kind of thing that only gets worse over time.
You are wise to get it over and done with now.

2. You caught it far enough before OSH as to not interfere with your
trip. (Well, unless your shop REALLY sucks.) THAT could have ruined
your whole summer.

I'll bet this problem is going to rival the Lycoming crankshaft AD by
the time all is said and done. There are a LOT of Piper retracts out
there.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Bummer on the rib.
Glad you did the inspection though.
After the repair is done you'll sleep better.
Jim

"Jack Allison" wrote in message
. ..
Jack Allison wrote:


Oops...meant to post in r.a.o...bah, stupid fingers!

Piper has a new service bulletin, SB1161 that calls for inspection of
the rib just inboard of the landing gear and aft of the main spar.


http://www.newpiper.com/company/Publ...20Insp-Mod.pdf


The SB requires putting the plane on jacks and removing the gear side
brace and bracket.

As 04T is in for the annual, we figured it was a good time to have the
SB performed. It turns out we have cracks on both sides of the rib and
they're bad enough that the repair kit announced in the SB can't be
used. Solution: two new ribs. Cost for parts: 1.1 AMU. Labor is
unknown at the moment but the shop is putting together an estimate.

At least I can split the repair bill three ways...but it's still gonna
put a dent in the flying funds.




--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL-Instrument Airplane
Arrow N2104T

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

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On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 20:05:00 -0800, Jack Allison
wrote in
::

Solution: two new ribs. Cost for parts: 1.1 AMU.

Have you researched the cost of used ribs?

Larry Dighera wrote:
On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 20:05:00 -0800, Jack Allison
wrote in
::

Solution: two new ribs. Cost for parts: 1.1 AMU.

Have you researched the cost of used ribs?

Wouldn't metal fatigue be an issue?

--
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Jack Allison wrote:
..

As 04T is in for the annual, we figured it was a good time to have the
SB performed. It turns out we have cracks on both sides of the rib and
they're bad enough that the repair kit announced in the SB can't be
used. Solution: two new ribs. Cost for parts: 1.1 AMU. Labor is
unknown at the moment but the shop is putting together an estimate.

Man, that is just painful.

On 2006-03-30, Jay Honeck wrote:
Piper has a new service bulletin, SB1161 that calls for inspection of
the rib just inboard of the landing gear and aft of the main spar.

As 04T is in for the annual, we figured it was a good time to have the
SB performed. It turns out we have cracks on both sides of the rib and

Bad luck Jay. Do they have a theory as to how/why the cracks developed?

....Edwin
--
__________________________________________________ _____
"Once you have flown, you will walk the earth with your
eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, there you
long to return."-- da Vinci ... www.shreve.net/~elj

Have you researched the cost of used ribs?


Wouldn't metal fatigue be an issue?

A potential problem with used ribs is how old they are. Newer ribs with
the proper date code don't require the inspection. Replacing the ribs
does the same as applying the repair kit...no more inspection necessary.

IMHO, used parts are ok for some things...but not for this job on our
plane. I'd rather put brand new ribs in despite the higher cost.


--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL-Instrument Airplane
Arrow N2104T

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

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Jay Honeck wrote:
Augh! That really, really sucks, Jack.
Yes, suckage level is extremely high. Right at the one year ownership
point too. Oh well, I'll have some great show and tell pictures for
Oshkosh. What an excuse to have folks crawl around in the grass under
my plane :-)


Two good things:

1. It sounds like the kind of thing that only gets worse over time.
You are wise to get it over and done with now.
Yep, and if it becomes an AD, I'd expect we will have permanently
complied by replacing the ribs.

2. You caught it far enough before OSH as to not interfere with your
trip. (Well, unless your shop REALLY sucks.) THAT could have ruined
your whole summer.
Also very true.


I'll bet this problem is going to rival the Lycoming crankshaft AD by
the time all is said and done. There are a LOT of Piper retracts out
there.

It's going to be interesting to see how many folks opt for performing
the SB and how many find cracks. I only know of one other aircraft that
found cracks (Dick Russ's Lance)...but it's still very early with this
one.

I'm also very interested to see if this does become an AD.

--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL-Instrument Airplane
Arrow N2104T

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

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