Eddy Current Inspection in the Northeast?

[Vitus]

Hello Mooniacs!

 

My 1967 Mooney M20F has a Hartzell prop affected by AD 2009-22-03 so I am looking for a place somewhere in the northeastern US that can do the eddy current inspection. I am based in KMGJ so anything in a 250nm radius would be fine.

So far I found a place in KLNS, however they want to do a prop inspection/reseal if the unit is over TBO - technically not required but it’s their policy.

Does the community have any pointers who else could to the eddy current inspection?

 

Thanks for your help and a happy Friday to you all!

[PeteMc]

Have a friend that used Sensenich at KLNS.  He replaced his hub a couple of years ago, so hasn't been back for a while.

[Vitus]

Have a friend that used Sensenich at KLNS.  He replaced his hub a couple of years ago, so hasn't been back for a while.

Hi Pete!
Thank you so much for your prompt reply! Sensenich were the ones I spoke with. That would be the most convenient location but I don’t see the point of doing work on the prop that is neither legally required nor any indication that it would be required …
That’s why I am trying to find a different place that will just do the Eddy current inspection.

[Shadrach]

6 hours ago, Vitus said:

 

Hello Mooniacs!

 

My 1967 Mooney M20F has a Hartzell prop affected by AD 2009-22-03 so I am looking for a place somewhere in the northeastern US that can do the eddy current inspection. I am based in KMGJ so anything in a 250nm radius would be fine.

So far I found a place in KLNS, however they want to do a prop inspection/reseal if the unit is over TBO - technically not required but it’s their policy.

Does the community have any pointers who else could to the eddy current inspection?

 

Thanks for your help and a happy Friday to you all!

 

East Coast Propeller is located in Lititz, Pa. They merged with New England Propellor recently. I believe they will do ECIs at both KLNS and S37.

https://airplanepropeller.com/contact/

[Vitus]

East Coast Propeller is located in Lititz, Pa. They merged with New England Propellor recently. I believe they will do ECIs at both KLNS and S37.
https://airplanepropeller.com/contact/

Thanks Shadrach! I will give them a call on Monday morning!

[carusoam]

My M20C used to go Sensenich at KLNS as well…

There isn’t a better route for the old hub…

The hub on the M20C has a very minute number of failures compare to other airframes it gets used on…

Some people add the red oil to show when it has a crack…

Others get the newer hub…

A few move on to a whole new prop…

 

The biggest problem with the taking the plane to the distant shop… it used a half day to complete, and the money…

A decade of ECI might break even with some of the other options…. It’s expensive enough to be annoying…

 

Contact AOPA to see if we can get relief… if there are no cracked hubs on M20Cs… 

This has been in effect for a long time now… data must exist to demonstrate the need/no-need…

Best regards,

-a-

[Vitus]

My M20C used to go Sensenich at KLNS as well…
There isn’t a better route for the old hub…
The hub on the M20C has a very minute number of failures compare to other airframes it gets used on…
Some people add the red oil to show when it has a crack…
Others get the newer hub…
A few move on to a whole new prop…
 
The biggest problem with the taking the plane to the distant shop… it used a half day to complete, and the money…
A decade of ECI might break even with some of the other options…. It’s expensive enough to be annoying…
 
Contact AOPA to see if we can get relief… if there are no cracked hubs on M20Cs… 
This has been in effect for a long time now… data must exist to demonstrate the need/no-need…
Best regards,
-a-

Yeah that’s what I heard as well. Apparently in the beginning there were a number of failing units and everything that’s now in operation seems to have no issue. I doubt that the AD will go away though … eventually I will bite the bullet and buy a new prop. Until then I just have to put up with the ECI once a year.

[Andy95W]

11 hours ago, Vitus said:

Yeah that’s what I heard as well. Apparently in the beginning there were a number of failing units and everything that’s now in operation seems to have no issue. I doubt that the AD will go away though … eventually I will bite the bullet and buy a new prop. Until then I just have to put up with the ECI once a year.

The original AD applied to applications over 300 horsepower, and also aerobatic airplanes. Those really did have cracking issues.  Then Hartzell convinced the FAA to have it apply to all of the compact prop hubs like ours, even though they were never an issue if inspected and serviced properly.

And BTW- the AD isn’t once per year.  That was amended by the FAA  to be every 100 hours, not annually.

[Vitus]

The original AD applied to applications over 300 horsepower, and also aerobatic airplanes. Those really did have cracking issues.  Then Hartzell convinced the FAA to have it apply to all of the compact prop hubs like ours, even though they were never an issue if inspected and serviced properly.
And BTW- the AD isn’t once per year.  That was amended by the FAA  to be every 100 hours, not annually.

Interesting, I did not know that. Great business development move on their part I guess!
And yes, I am aware the AD is based on time but since I fly approx 100h per year I am doing the AD once a year. Where are you based? Any recommendations out here in the northeast?

[Andy95W]

I’m near Detroit, MI.  I have to fly my airplane to a nearby airport that has a prop shop, remove the spinner, and wait for the ECI guy.  That seems to be par for the course.

Sometimes the nearby prop shops can point you in the right direction if they won’t do the ECI themselves.  Other than that, you already did the best thing: ask the question on MooneySpace.  Good luck.

[carusoam]

Don’t forget…

It helps to have Mooney friends in your neighborhood…

There is a NJMP group… NJ Mooney Pilots…

Best regards,

-a-

[Vitus]

Don’t forget…
It helps to have Mooney friends in your neighborhood…
There is a NJMP group… NJ Mooney Pilots…
Best regards,
-a-

Awesome, thank you very much for that! I just PM’d them!

[Vitus]

Hey there - happy weekend! First of, thank you very much for all your recommendations! I spoke to a few companies out here in the northeast now, nobody wants to do the eddy current inspection without some additional work on the propeller for “liability reasons”. I have offered to waive all and any liabilities for work recommended but not performed but it’s nothing anyone was able to agree to.
In any case the total cost to do it out here would at least be somewhere north of $3500. The suggestion to get a new prop for $12.000 was the most expensive proposal I’ve gotten.
Therefore I decided to unmount the prop and send it out to Wichita for inspection. The total cost will be around $800 - shipping being the most expensive aspect of all this. I will let you know how it went…

[takair]

22 minutes ago, Vitus said:

Hey there - happy weekend! First of, thank you very much for all your recommendations! I spoke to a few companies out here in the northeast now, nobody wants to do the eddy current inspection without some additional work on the propeller for “liability reasons”. I have offered to waive all and any liabilities for work recommended but not performed but it’s nothing anyone was able to agree to.
In any case the total cost to do it out here would at least be somewhere north of $3500. The suggestion to get a new prop for $12.000 was the most expensive proposal I’ve gotten.
Therefore I decided to unmount the prop and send it out to Wichita for inspection. The total cost will be around $800 - shipping being the most expensive aspect of all this. I will let you know how it went…

That is painful.  When the AD came out I opted for a new hub, for which they offered a self serving discount.  Was frustrating since the original hub was rather new.  I just didn’t want to deal with the ECI at the time.  Anyway, that doesn’t help in this situation.  Have you tried New England Propeller?   https://airplanepropeller.com/contact/

[201Steve]

You could split the cost of a tester with a local A&P. He gets a generous discount on a new tool, you have a guy on standby, do it for almost nothing going forward…. 

[Vitus]

That is painful.  When the AD came out I opted for a new hub, for which they offered a self serving discount.  Was frustrating since the original hub was rather new.  I just didn’t want to deal with the ECI at the time.  Anyway, that doesn’t help in this situation.  Have you tried New England Propeller?   https://airplanepropeller.com/contact/

Yes, I did call them as well, same story.

[Andy95W]

13 hours ago, 201Steve said:

You could split the cost of a tester with a local A&P. He gets a generous discount on a new tool, you have a guy on standby, do it for almost nothing going forward…. 

The real problem isn’t just purchasing the equipment, it’s getting the training and certification.

But that’s not all- after getting certified, the inspector has to perform a certain number of inspections per quarter to be proficient and stay current.

[201Steve]

26 minutes ago, Andy95W said:

The real problem isn’t just purchasing the equipment, it’s getting the training and certification.

But that’s not all- after getting certified, the inspector has to perform a certain number of inspections per quarter to be proficient and stay current.

You must stay…. Eddy Current? Pun intended. 

[carusoam]

Let’s see if Cody is around… @Cody Stallings

If you need to send a prop somewhere…

MS has a good prop guy…

Best regards,

-a-

[Hap]

How did you resolve this issue? I'm having the same problem with my 64E. Always hangered, nothing obvious going on. 4K to overhaul seems overkill

[Vitus]

How did you resolve this issue? I'm having the same problem with my 64E. Always hangered, nothing obvious going on. 4K to overhaul seems overkill

Hello Hap!
I flew three hours south to H&H Propellers. They are located at Burlington-Alamance Regional Airport (KBUY).
Super nice and uncomplicated people. Just called, scheduled an appointment for the following week and got it done. I think the whole thing incl paperwork took less than one hour, just enough for a quick lunch at the Waffle House down the street. I can’t recall the price but it was absolutely reasonable.I want to say $300 but I may remember that wrong. Hope this helps!


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[Shadrach]

On 8/26/2022 at 9:19 AM, Vitus said:

 

Hello Mooniacs!

 

My 1967 Mooney M20F has a Hartzell prop affected by AD 2009-22-03 so I am looking for a place somewhere in the northeastern US that can do the eddy current inspection. I am based in KMGJ so anything in a 250nm radius would be fine.

So far I found a place in KLNS, however they want to do a prop inspection/reseal if the unit is over TBO - technically not required but it’s their policy.

Does the community have any pointers who else could to the eddy current inspection?

Thanks for your help and a happy Friday to you all!

 

Yes, East Cosst Propellor has some inconsistent policies. They refused to do a reseal on a prop for me because it was nearing calendar TBO, insisting on an overhaul.  
I have used a mobile NDT service out of Martinsburg, WV in the past. I will look up their info when I am at the drome later today. Are you located in PA? 

[Vitus]

Yes, East Cosst Propellor has some inconsistent policies. They refused to do a reseal on a prop for me because it was nearing calendar TBO, insisting on an overhaul.  
I have used a mobile NDT service out of Martinsburg, WV in the past. I will look up their info when I am at the drome later today. Are you located in PA? 

Well, I actually relocated to Germany end of last year so I am flying out of EDNX now.
the good news is, I have already found someone to do the eddy current for me!


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[Shadrach]

19 hours ago, Hap said:

How did you resolve this issue? I'm having the same problem with my 64E. Always hangered, nothing obvious going on. 4K to overhaul seems overkill

Who’s quoting you 4K? That is ridiculous. I think I paid <$2,000 in 2019.

[Vitus]

Who’s quoting you 4K? That is ridiculous. I think I paid

4K for a OH is not too bad these days …
I was quoted 2800 just for a reseal. Prices are just absolutely out of control….


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