M20K 252 Posted August 23, 2021 Report Posted August 23, 2021 Anyone have any suggestions for safely rigging an M20K 252 for an airlift (long sling)? I'm concerned about damaging control surfaces and sheet metal. Better to go around fuselage or under wings? Quote
Parker_Woodruff Posted August 23, 2021 Report Posted August 23, 2021 5 minutes ago, M20K 252 said: Anyone have any suggestions for safely rigging an M20K 252 for an airlift (long sling)? I'm concerned about damaging control surfaces and sheet metal. Better to go around fuselage or under wings? Is the plane off airport? Can you drill off the tail and move it by trailer? There was an M20J that was airlifted some time back...quite a venture... Quote
Ragsf15e Posted August 23, 2021 Report Posted August 23, 2021 I don’t have the specifics but it’s been done recently. It’s on this sote as well as YouTube and FB. Quote
carusoam Posted August 23, 2021 Report Posted August 23, 2021 27 minutes ago, M20K 252 said: Anyone have any suggestions for safely rigging an M20K 252 for an airlift (long sling)? I'm concerned about damaging control surfaces and sheet metal. Better to go around fuselage or under wings? Welcome aboard 252… Start filling in as many details as you can… While we rally the troops… Search for the video of a helicopter hauling a Mooney out of the mountains… Where are you? Are you in a safe location? Use prior experience, no need to make up new procedures… PP thoughts only, not a mechanic… Best regards, -a- Quote
M20K 252 Posted August 23, 2021 Author Report Posted August 23, 2021 I haven't been able to find the video / pics of the helicopter hauling a Mooney from the mountains. However, my guess is that they weren't concerned too much about damaging control surfaces, etc. I'll keep looking for it. Thanks for the heads up. Quote
A64Pilot Posted August 23, 2021 Report Posted August 23, 2021 (edited) I’ve done it with helicopters in the Army, we even had a kit for it. But I have never done an airplane. The kit did encompass airplanes, and I’m certain the Army has a manual for doing it, and I bet it’s available on line too, try to find that manual, if you find it, it’s likely a lot of good info. ‘If I were to, I’d remove the flaps and lift under the wings, may need a spreader bar, and you will likely need a small chute to keep it from spinning. You should have something under the wings to spread the load of the straps, maybe foam covered plywood? You will also want something on those pads to keep the slings from slipping off. I assume none of this will be insured so good luck? Last helicopter I did was at Hunter Army Airfield in Sav Ga, the OH-58 was down in Ft Stewart, so it was seen as a training opportunity, we rigged the aircraft and every thing was going well until on short final the Chinook re-armed the hook, when it rearmed, it opened. Oh-58 fell about 50’ or so and smashed flat, total loss. Old kit was the ARK for Aerial Recovery Kit, apparently the new one is called the UMARK for Unit Maintenance Aerial Recovery Kit. I’m looking but not found a manual yet. Edited August 23, 2021 by A64Pilot Quote
M20K 252 Posted August 24, 2021 Author Report Posted August 24, 2021 Thanks for the info. I did find some info. on the UMARK kit: https://www.logsa.army.mil/psmag/archives/PS2016/758/758-21-26.pdf . I'm thinking sling under each wing and 2 around the fuselage (1 in front of the wing / 1 behind the wing). Quote
Guest Posted August 24, 2021 Report Posted August 24, 2021 I’d say if possible remove the upper engine cowling and connect to the engine mount frame at the firewall. The trailing edges of the flaps would need some form of support to keep them from being bent upwards. A very wide strap on the fuselage to spread the load over a wide area. You’re talking about lifting approximately one ton. Clarence Quote
M20K 252 Posted August 24, 2021 Author Report Posted August 24, 2021 Thanks Clarence. I agree with your suggestions. It'll be important to distribute the load. I'll likely remove the flaps. Quote
carusoam Posted August 24, 2021 Report Posted August 24, 2021 Oddly… I can’t find the helicopter lifting a Mooney out of a snowy field. How about a crane doing something similar…. To a Mooney? This looks like the example of how Not To… note the crushed aluminum… -a- Quote
M20K 252 Posted August 24, 2021 Author Report Posted August 24, 2021 This is very helpful. Thanks! Quote
Guest Posted August 24, 2021 Report Posted August 24, 2021 10 hours ago, M20K 252 said: Thanks Clarence. I agree with your suggestions. It'll be important to distribute the load. I'll likely remove the flaps. I would think that a number of 2X10 planks glued and screwed together longer than the cord of the wings, padded and placed close to the fuselage inboard of the gear would support the weight better than the fuselage skins. Clarence Quote
PilotX Posted August 24, 2021 Report Posted August 24, 2021 I’m no expert but the lift points of our Mooney’s get a vote. So something involving those three points should be considered. Quote
M20F-1968 Posted August 24, 2021 Report Posted August 24, 2021 Take off the empennage, cowling, remove engine and engine mount and with the nose gear collapsed, put it on a long flat bed trailer with the wings the length of the flat bed and the tail cone in the air (because of the folded nose gear). You can trailer it a long way in this manner without dismantling the tail cone from the steel cage. John Breda Quote
Guest Posted August 24, 2021 Report Posted August 24, 2021 If I remember correctly this was the one where the magneto fell off after maintenance. Clarence Quote
201Mooniac Posted August 24, 2021 Report Posted August 24, 2021 About 15 years ago or so a 252 was lifted by helicopter off of a mountain hear Novato airport (DVO) just north of San Francisco. The strapping looked a lot like the PAO airlift but they weren't trying to save the airplane so no idea if the rigging was appropriate. Quote
PT20J Posted August 24, 2021 Report Posted August 24, 2021 This must be necessary from time to time and I would think that insurance companies would have some suggestions about who to contact with experience. Quote
thinwing Posted August 24, 2021 Report Posted August 24, 2021 one of our air squadron members has a truck towing company...he used airbags under the wings to lift a gear up landing Quote
1980Mooney Posted August 24, 2021 Report Posted August 24, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, M20Doc said: If I remember correctly this was the one where the magneto fell off after maintenance. Clarence Yes - according to the FAA Accident/Incident report N4328H had the magneto refurbished during Annual 5 weeks before it fell off. Maybe that is why it was economic to salvage a 1978 J model by helicopter - the shop was paying for the entire debacle. It looks like the top cowling is off and they lifted the front by the hook on the engine thereby avoiding crushing the aluminum fuselage in front of the wing root like the other lifts. Flightaware shows that it is still flying. Edited August 24, 2021 by 1980Mooney 1 Quote
M20K 252 Posted August 24, 2021 Author Report Posted August 24, 2021 6 hours ago, PilotX said: I’m no expert but the lift points of our Mooney’s get a vote. So something involving those three points should be considered. What / Where are the (3) lift points? Quote
Guest Posted August 24, 2021 Report Posted August 24, 2021 2 minutes ago, M20K 252 said: What / Where are the (3) lift points? There is nothing in the K model manual regarding lifting the plane, other than jacking it. I’ve never seen any slinging or hoisting points on a Mooney. In both videos above, they appear to use the engine mount frame and a strap around the fuselage. Can you share more about why you need to do this? Many of us are curious. Clarence Quote
A64Pilot Posted August 24, 2021 Report Posted August 24, 2021 Do Not use the point on the engine, it’s not very strong, however the engine mounts near the firewall should be very ,very strong Quote
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