Fear and loathing in red lake.

[Widow]

It took them a month to figure out they should look at the whole engine?

[carholme]

Widow;

I have to be fair in this case as we were delayed in getting the engine out due the helicopter availability.

Regards

carholme

[carholme]

[img][img]http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p95/ ... an0019.jpg[/img][/img]

Ladies/Gentlemen;

The following information is from the TSB preliminary information given to us prior to their final report.

This is a scanned portion of a page from the 985 parts manual showing the crankshaft and the forward balance assy. The text arrow is pointing to the rivet which attaches the balance weight to the crankshaft arm and it was through this hole that the crack initiated.

When we removed the balance unit from the top of the engine, we saw the circular scoring marks in the bore and thought they may have been from the rivet being loose and rotating but TSB thinks it may have been a manufacturing defect, possibly caused by a dull drill.

Whatever the cause, the question arises about the qualification of the crankshaft at overhaul. I checked with one Canadian overhaul agency and there is no requirement to disassemble the balance weight from the crank arm for the MPI. TSB feels that this crack would not have been detectable during MPI without the unit being disassembled.

TSB is just completing their hardness testing of the components and will have their report issued soon. We will keep you informed.

Mr. Mark Wallace at the TSB has been excellent in keeping us informed through every stage of their examinations and we wish to thank him for doing so.

Regards

carholme

[xsbank]

Somehow I missed the instalments from after the engine failure and didn't see the repair. Great work - a testament to the importance of attending Boy Scouts as a kid! The rest of the a/c looks good too, a testament to all those hours polishing!

[Widow]

Thanks for the prelim info Carholme. Do you know if Transport Canada will have any follow-up action to the findings?

[carholme]

Ladies/Gentlemen;

As I promised to keep you updated, I have talked with TC this morning and they will be having one of their NDT people look at the crankshaft in the coming days to see if an alternate method of inspection can be done at overhaul, which would still allow the inspection to be done without removing the balance weight.

Will let you know the next stage.

Regards

carholme

[Liquid Charlie]

Being new to this forum and just coming across this thread -- I must say well done -- it brought back memories of a similar day many years ago as I listened to a friend of mine wasn't so lucky and ended up in the bush west of Coli Lake -- and for me too -- in an unrelated incident -- I ended up landing in Coli Lake with a cockpit full of smoke and engine out -- mine feathered --

Snoopy -- understand what u went through --- good job -- better get some of those fragments and make coasters out of them

[carholme]

To All:

We have finally rec'd the report from TSB concerning our 985 engine failure with the Beech 18 last summer.

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=432333&da=y

Regards

carholme

[sky's the limit]

Thanks for that, Carholme,


Fascinating read, but the pictures leave me with a lot of respect for the people doing the analysis... Impressive work.


stl

[Widow]

So Carholme, is there going to be a change to the way the crankshaft is inspected at overhaul? Or are these engines so old, (and used only for "small" a/c), such that no one cares?

[carholme]

Widow;

We just have to wait to see if TC applies any further inspection criteria.
I do know that they are investigating alternative inspection procedures to ensure that the area can be inspected without removing the counterweights. As you will note from a previous, this area cannot be inspected at crankshaft overhaul using existing means.

carholme

[xsbank]

Fascinating read - I agree with STL how interesting and how competent the examiners are in this case.

Thanks for posting that, Carholme.

So, when will it be rebuilt and ready to go back on for the new season??

[carholme]

xs;

We are just awaiting the arrival of the 45 gal. drum of crazy glue and she will be good to go. Snoopy is anxious to get the test flight done.

carholme

[clubzed]

i

[Siddley Hawker]

Mighty impressive. Thanks carholme, I was wondering just the other day when that report would be out.

[snoopy]

It's taken me a while to receive the copy of the magazine so I could say this, but I am pleased to announce that I wrote about our engine failure and submitted it to the Seaplane Pilot Association's "Water Flying" magazine. It was accepted and published in the July/August issue:

http://www.seaplanes.org/cgi-bin/wfm/wfm.cgi?cb

And if you're not a member, here's the article:
http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/view.php?id=788052&da=y

At least something good came of all that...


Cheers,
Snoopy

[xsbank]

That was a great article, Snoop, thank you! Good to finally put a face to your name, too.

[Rudder Bug]

Snoopy,

I wasn't aware of that incident, being in the outskirts of Yukon without an internet access by then.

Glad you all walked away with no further dammage, great job!

Is your plane back on its feet?

[snoopy]

Thanks xsbank! It's neat to get published - not the first time, but it has been a while.

RB, the a/c is fixed but company operations are on hold for various reasons.

Cheers,
Snoopy

[Lost Lake]

Hey snoopy, I hope you took some time to fish on knox. It was one of the best CFF lakes. Ah, brings back memories, and Norm still looks the same.

[snoopy]

Ha ha... After many days sleeping in the airplane at plus 40 heat (with all the windows closed to prevent exsanguination and insanity from 40 million blood sucking critters), and after all the effort we put in during the day to get ourselves operational... nope. It's one thing to live that kind of adventure as a line pilot/mechanic, and quite another when you own and operate one aircraft and it's just become unserviceable in a major way - right smack in the middle of the busy season and during hard economic times - when you were already hanging on by a toenail to begin with.

In hindsight I discovered that life does go on, and upon later reflection and in a more relaxed frame of mind, can appreciate the situation for what it was. A catastrophic event which became a great adventure, with a favorable outcome - everybody lived.

Besides, in truth I would rather be flying than fishing. I prefer my fish hand delivered to the plate - cooked (or raw) - and served with a fine wine (or sake).

Cheers,
Kirsten B.

[Lost Lake]

If I ever get back to RL, I'll buy you that fish and wine at the Howey!!

Cheers, safe flying'

P.S. I was there back in 96 flying for good old Jim. By the way, what's up with Chimo. Did DR retire/quit? Pm me if you like.