Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group Re: Sting Sport Woodcomp blade loss

Bill - that's a new one by me (the safety cable). I think I almost would rather the blade depart in whatever fashion rather than flopping around possibly beating the front end to death in the matter of seconds it would take to shut the engine down. But I'm sure there are smarter minds than mine developing that type of system. :)

Alex - the StingSport of ours is a Rotax 912ULS. From my understanding is the Sting Sport is the only LSA in the US that uses the Woodcomp prop blades. They're pretty easy to identify as they have the brand manufacture label right on the blades. The serial #'s are at the base of each blade (heck - I didn't even know prop blades HAD serial numbers until this happened).

Brian

--- In Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com, "Bill Watson" <bill@...> wrote:
>
> Some planes have a safety cable from the frame to the engine to keep the
> weight and balance somewhat proper if the engine tries to abandon ship.
> Planes with multi-pieced props and intolerant of such changes to their W&B
> might benefit from such a cable. You may not land where you wanted, but at
> least it wouldn't be tail first or in a spin.
>
> Bill Watson
>
> bill@...
>
>
>
> From: Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com]
> On Behalf Of circicirci
> Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2012 9:10 AM
> To: Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group Re: Sting Sport Woodcomp blade
> loss
>
>
>
>
>
> Wow! Both your AND Ed's report --that the carbs jumped off and shut down the
> engine when the prop unbalanced -- suggests to me:
> a)that unplanned "fail safe" feature MAY have saved your asses by keeping
> the spinning prop from doing more catastrophic damage and leaving you going
> down in uncontrollable planes.
> b) That if ever faced with a horrible engine vibration -- or actually KNOW
> you've just thrown a prop, jumping right on the mag switches to shut it down
> PROMPTLY could be a lifesaver.
>
> By the way: What's your engine type/model?
> Asking to see if it's the same as mine if my Rotax 912 might have those
> same, er, "fail-safe-pop-off-on-prop-unbalance" "feature"? <g>
>
> Alex
>
> --- In Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Sport_Aircraft%40yahoogroups.com> , "Brian" <brian@> wrote :
> >
> > Oh yeah the whole front end of the plane was vibrating rather violently -
> but the whole process lasted maybe 2 to 3 seconds before it was all over. I
> had enough time to pull back on the throttle and level out (quickly mind
> you) to at least try to see what was going on - but by the time I reached a
> level attitude the engine had quit.
> >
> > I haven't seen the plane since we've moved it, but from my understanding
> from one of the plane partners (who is also an A&P) the carbs shook loose
> from the rubber mounts - and that's what probably led to the engine
> quitting.
> >
> > I also would imagine if the engine would continue to run it could
> certainly vibrate off the plane. As it stands now the engine mount is bent
> and the firewall has a crack at one of the mount points. I'll get up to the
> airport and see it in person on Sunday. Right now I'm working off of reports
> from other partners in the plane who have seen it first hand.
> >
> > The FAA was out today and the insurance adjustor should be out soon.
> >
> > Brian
> >
> > --- In Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Sport_Aircraft%40yahoogroups.com> , "circicirci" <acensor@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Really glad to hear the report in this form rather than the "error chain
> that lead to fatality" type.
> > >
> > > Couple of thoughts and questions:..........
> > >
> > >
> > > ....I'm curious: When the prop threw its two blades (appears to be the
> case from your description and the photo with the article) didn't the engine
> start vibrating/shaking horribly immeadiatly from the one unbalance blade on
> the hub?
> > > I would think in some cases such a configuration/situation the unbalance
> might be able to even rip the motor right off its mounts leaving the pilot
> with a plane so badly out of balance as to be uncontrollable?
> > >
> > > Alex
> > >
>




------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport_Aircraft/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport_Aircraft/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
Sport_Aircraft-digest@yahoogroups.com
Sport_Aircraft-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
Sport_Aircraft-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/