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, "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, "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/