- Wed Mar 13, 2019 3:04 am
#406704
Went for a flight with another FLPHG pilot at the Drury airfield.
After my second flight, I noticed a crack next to the bolt hole in the end of the exhaust manifold supporting strap (that bolts to the engine casing on the port side, near the starter motor). Later, when I removed the exhaust for repair, I found that the crack had gone completely through the end of the strap, and only the bolt washer was retainig the broken end of the strap.
I've since had the strap tip welded back on. I'll put the exhaust back on the Mosquito tomorrow.
Pre-and post-flight checks for fatigue cracks (especially around the muffler and its fittings) are essential. Although I safety-wired both exhaust manifold bolts after I tightened them up a couple of months ago, when I removed the safety wire yesterday, the bolts were not tight at all. Only the safety wire was preventing them from unscrewing and falling out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEL_Q6RPYc0&t=111s
After my second flight, I noticed a crack next to the bolt hole in the end of the exhaust manifold supporting strap (that bolts to the engine casing on the port side, near the starter motor). Later, when I removed the exhaust for repair, I found that the crack had gone completely through the end of the strap, and only the bolt washer was retainig the broken end of the strap.
I've since had the strap tip welded back on. I'll put the exhaust back on the Mosquito tomorrow.
Pre-and post-flight checks for fatigue cracks (especially around the muffler and its fittings) are essential. Although I safety-wired both exhaust manifold bolts after I tightened them up a couple of months ago, when I removed the safety wire yesterday, the bolts were not tight at all. Only the safety wire was preventing them from unscrewing and falling out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEL_Q6RPYc0&t=111s