Maybe already discussed, but never hurts to tell someone who may not know.
Not sure how to frame this so here goes: yesterday ran into an issue with the prop. Went flying , all is well about an hour and a half, done. Waiting for a friend/partner to get to airport, to fly some more. Tinkered with the radio, talked a little , did an abbreviated look around , as already been flying and did an in depth one earlier. Then another person who I had not met before comes by, stops to talk as he knew my partner. Turns out he is an aircraft mechanic . He happens to look around the plane then notices something on the prop. The quick release cotter pin on the front of the cowl, had slipped down from the middle position hold to the end loop, lengthening enough to allow it to touch the blade(wood prop). In doing so it forms two separate grooves about an 1/8 inch deep in the blade after flying.
Something I had never heard of , or dreamed of. Needless to say , no more flying yesterday. My Partner contacted Sensenich today, turns out this problem isn't rare at all. Definitely preventable, and will make sure in the future to have good young cotter pins and make sure this is definitely on the preflight checklist.
Will get photos soon.
Safe Flying!
Not sure how to frame this so here goes: yesterday ran into an issue with the prop. Went flying , all is well about an hour and a half, done. Waiting for a friend/partner to get to airport, to fly some more. Tinkered with the radio, talked a little , did an abbreviated look around , as already been flying and did an in depth one earlier. Then another person who I had not met before comes by, stops to talk as he knew my partner. Turns out he is an aircraft mechanic . He happens to look around the plane then notices something on the prop. The quick release cotter pin on the front of the cowl, had slipped down from the middle position hold to the end loop, lengthening enough to allow it to touch the blade(wood prop). In doing so it forms two separate grooves about an 1/8 inch deep in the blade after flying.
Something I had never heard of , or dreamed of. Needless to say , no more flying yesterday. My Partner contacted Sensenich today, turns out this problem isn't rare at all. Definitely preventable, and will make sure in the future to have good young cotter pins and make sure this is definitely on the preflight checklist.
Will get photos soon.
Safe Flying!
