Cracked Torque Tube Horn Concerns - Update #3 - 10-25-09

[9089P]

Hi Howard,

Denny's article came out in March and a month later we disassembled the entire tail assembly (except the balance arm) of the a/c. Apparently the my IA and I are not much in the way of risk takers. That was 3 yrs ago and I'm glad we didn't wait. As I have stated peviously, I feel it is unconscionable to be flying any Comanche around without doing the inspection. The inspection is neither expensive nor time consuming.

Don

[Chris Kuyoth]

Hans,

We are coming up on 3 months since the last update. Any new news? I thought I had heard that Piper was going to update their service letter based on the data collected and have it issued by the 1st of the year.

Would rather wait for a well thought out service letter than a hurried solution that misses the mark. But...inquiring minds want to know.

Chris

[Hansmeister]

Eric Paul and Denny Haskins have completed the installation of a new horn to an existing torque tube 2 days ago. (1-18-10). They required to fabricate some fixturing and alignment pins.

They have made recommendations to Piper on the procedures, and some minor changes to predrilled hole sizes to make them easier for reaming.

Eric and Denny will get their write-up on the procedure out to Piper in the next few days, and then it is in Piper's court. How long it will take for them to re-write the SB and get kits ready is anyone's guess.

Meanwhile, I need to finish up the FEA analysis and get those results to the FAA. I expect to be done in about 5 days, since I need to download the new version of the FEA software.

I expect that the horn issue will come together quickly, but have no firm timetable since others are involved.

[Keith Johnson]

[Hansmeister]

[Manche 68]

[Michael Osborn]

[MULEFLY]

[Manche 68]

[Manche 68]

[Ray B]

[Manche 68]