annual - hartzell AD

We're affected as well. Our prop likely won't make it through another
overhaul though...so...replacing the hub is not really a viable option.
Got an e-mail from a guy at Hartzell and they're discounting 2-blade
replacement prop/hub through September of this year. Something North of
$5K when you add shipping. This is likely the route we'll go but we
have yet to make a final decision. For the time being, it's repetitive
eddy current inspections at around $400/pop when you figure in fuel and
flight time. Here's to hoping the AD gets rescinded.


--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL-Instrument Airplane

"To become a Jedi knight, you must master a single force. To become
a private pilot you must strive to master four of them"
- Rod Machado

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

On Feb 18, 7:53 pm, Jack Allison
wrote:
Here's to hoping the AD gets rescinded.

Is there a chance of that? I've not heard anything about it. I have
yet to drop my $6K for the prop.

-Robert

Check out MT propeller. See if they have a prop that will go on your
airplane. They fit quite a few now. It is a lighter, more efficient,
composite prop.

On Feb 19, 10:06 am, "Doug" wrote:
Check out MT propeller. See if they have a prop that will go on your
airplane. They fit quite a few now. It is a lighter, more efficient,
composite prop.

Isn't that the one that's $12K though? I have a hard time spending
that much on a prop. I like the theory that the composites have
"infinate" life because at overhaul they get built up, not just shaved
down. However, the possible ADs that could come out of a new
technology worries me.

-Robert

Doug Vetter wrote:
Hi all,

With the recent topics on Annuals hitting the group, I figured I'd
relate my own, indulge myself in a short rant, and ask a question of you.

Just got the call from our A&P today and our 172 w/180HP Avcon
Conversion came through the annual in pretty good shape. Unfortunately,
we did manage to get caught on one thing -- in spite of having spent
almost $3K to overhaul our Hartzell CS prop in 2003, we just learned
that it was hit with an AD issued in September 2006 for hub cracks.

We have to fly out to our prop shop and have them do an eddy current
inspection within the next few flight hours to determine if the hub can
remain airworthy (ironic that they ask us to FLY it there), and then we
have two choices:

1) Do the inspection again every 100 hours or 12 months, whichever comes
first. It costs about $200 + the flight time to go out there, or about
$400.

or

2) Spend about $2500 to replace the hub to terminate the reoccurring
inspection.

When I read the service bulletin on which the AD is based, it looks like
some kind of CYA letter. They provide specific technical information
and examples of WHY the SB has been issued (that I can't debate since
I'm not an aeronautical engineer), but then they go on to declare that
"all pre-1991 hubs" are suspect. In my opinion, that's a bit of a broad
stroke.

Of course, we have to comply with the AD terms, so we will. But it
comes to mind that if our prop was truly susceptible to this condition I
figure it would have thrown a blade in the first 30 years and 2000 hours
in service -- or at the very least failed the inspection at the recent
overhaul. I have the distinct feeling that this is just another way for
Hartzell's attorneys to cover their ass and to make a few bucks for the
company at our considerable expense.

Our prop shop empathized and said that this is a common problem with
Hartzell. They like to write service bulletins and appear all too happy
to help the Feds issue ADs to force owners to clean up their messes.
Then when owners bitch about the lack of data to support the
manufacturer's claims, the ADs are eventually rescinded. This rang true
with me because an earlier AD on this prop that involved the blade
shanks was in effect for almost 10 years before the Feds rescinded it
due to a lack of supporting data. I can't help but think the new AD is
another example of this brain-dead approach to airworthiness.

The shop also said the AD was issued due to "several" blade separations
in the field. This is news to me. I mean, I haven't been living under
a rock the last 10 years. I know full well, for example, that neither
Lycoming nor Continental's low-bid manufacturers can make a crankshaft
to save anyone's life and I recall hearing about several catastrophic
engine failures that resulted from those defects, but I haven't heard
anything about these alleged blade separations.

Anyone else affected by this AD?

http://tinyurl.com/v68jk

-Doug

--
--------------------
Doug Vetter, ATP/CFI

http://www.dvatp.com
-------------------

I also have the Avcom (aka Doyn) on my Skyhawk. I check the log books
and this does NOT apply to me.

--

Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
KSWI

Ross wrote:
I also have the Avcom (aka Doyn) on my Skyhawk. I check the log books
and this does NOT apply to me.

Surprising, since the newer hubs that aren't covered didn't come out
until 1991 and I don't think Avcon or its successor has sold any
conversions since then.

-Doug

--
--------------------
Doug Vetter, ATP/CFI

http://www.dvatp.com
--------------------

Doug Vetter wrote:
Ross wrote:

I also have the Avcom (aka Doyn) on my Skyhawk. I check the log books
and this does NOT apply to me.


Surprising, since the newer hubs that aren't covered didn't come out
until 1991 and I don't think Avcon or its successor has sold any
conversions since then.

-Doug

--
--------------------
Doug Vetter, ATP/CFI

http://www.dvatp.com
--------------------
I had a prop overhaul several years ago, but it seems to meet the
requirements of the AD. I plan to take it to a prop shop later for a
good look over anyway.

--

Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
KSWI

Doug Vetter wrote:
Hi all,

With the recent topics on Annuals hitting the group, I figured I'd
relate my own, indulge myself in a short rant, and ask a question of you.

Just got the call from our A&P today and our 172 w/180HP Avcon
Conversion came through the annual in pretty good shape. Unfortunately,
we did manage to get caught on one thing -- in spite of having spent
almost $3K to overhaul our Hartzell CS prop in 2003, we just learned
that it was hit with an AD issued in September 2006 for hub cracks.


What's the AD ID number for that AD?

I'm having trouble getting to it on the FAA website.

-thanks

On 24 Feb 2007 07:29:47 -0800, "JD" wrote:


Doug Vetter wrote:
Hi all,

With the recent topics on Annuals hitting the group, I figured I'd
relate my own, indulge myself in a short rant, and ask a question of you.

Just got the call from our A&P today and our 172 w/180HP Avcon
Conversion came through the annual in pretty good shape. Unfortunately,
we did manage to get caught on one thing -- in spite of having spent
almost $3K to overhaul our Hartzell CS prop in 2003, we just learned
that it was hit with an AD issued in September 2006 for hub cracks.


What's the AD ID number for that AD?

I'm having trouble getting to it on the FAA website.

Are we talking about Hartzell SB HC-SB-61-269 (incorporated to AD
2006-18-15) for eddy-current inspections on a bunch of hubs installed
on Lycoming ( )o-360 engines?