Bravo AOG, Need the Dreaded V-Band Clamp

[geoffb]

On 2/5/2024 at 6:28 AM, alextstone said:

Good Morning All,

I have an update that is mildly encouraging.  I spoke with John Paul at GAMI and he confirmed that GAMI is working with a machine shop and the FAA to manufacture v-band clamps under an STC.  He seemed to think that it could be as little as two months before production starts, provided the process continues to flow without issues.  That probably means more like 6 months but, hey, it's somewhat encouraging.  

but what's the status of the STC?

[alextstone]

On 2/23/2024 at 3:00 PM, geoffb said:

but what's the status of the STC?

The rep at GAMI said "it could be a matter of weeks or a matter of months, the FAA is in control of that"

[N201MKTurbo]

7 minutes ago, alextstone said:

The rep at GAMI said "it could be a matter of weeks or a matter of months, the FAA is in control of that"

Send doughnuts to the FAA every Friday. It couldn’t hurt.

[Starlifter27]

I'm in the same boat (crack found in the exhaust so the v-band clamp had to come off and it already has had two re-torques) and I, along with the shop doing my annual right now, have come up empty on finding them without a crazy ridiculous lead time that renders my airplane a very expensive paperweight for much longer than it should.

I'll be following if anyone comes up with anything!

[Fritz1]

Sorry to hear, hope somebody makes some clamps soon, since the exhaust crack is a potentially serious issue, could you post a pic?

[LANCECASPER]

@DVA did start a good thread on this subject a few years back.

 

 

[LANCECASPER]

While I'm not a fan of overreach by the FAA, these clamps have been failing for many years. 

 

https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-recs/RecLetters/A88_147_152.pdf

[amekler]

My 2000 bravo has the riveted v band clamp

does this mean the AD doesn’t apply?

alan

 

[LANCECASPER]

On 3/27/2024 at 6:27 AM, amekler said:

My 2000 bravo has the riveted v band clamp

does this mean the AD doesn’t apply?

alan

 

(Of course you have the riveted clamp - if you look through your logs it was mandatory that the older clamps had to be replaced somewhere around 20 years ago.) Mooney says you get two documented retorques on the riveted clamp. These retorques should be logged.

The part of the AD that does apply is that if you haven't exceeded the number of retorques, rather than replacing it by time in service only, it can be inspected by an IA. But only the riveted version can be used on a Bravo not the spot-welded version.

Edited April 16, 2024 by LANCECASPER

[amekler]

looked through the log books and don't see it has been retorqued

Alan

[Airterrys]

Any updates? My shop was just told me their supplier has pushed back to October for the vband clamp. 

[LANCECASPER]

26 minutes ago, MDMooney said:

Count me in this camp. Any leads? My band appears fine but my mechanic wants it replaced since there’s no documentation of number of re-torques including after the last overhaul per “amendment of the chapter 4 airworthiness limitations”

This is a good way of keeping track of it:

https://www.mooney.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/FORM_QA1027M.pdf

[alextstone]

Just for grins, anyone hear an update on the ETA of these clamps?

 

[LANCECASPER]

I've heard that if you have a Cessna Turbo 182 that is AOG because of the clamp that Textron Parts moves you up to the top of the list. They would probably want an N-number that didn't fly this morning though on FlightAware   . . lol

[alextstone]

33 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

I've heard that if you have a Cessna Turbo 182 that is AOG because of the clamp that Textron Parts moves you up to the top of the list. They would probably want an N-number that didn't fly this morning though on FlightAware   . . lol

Do you know of anyone I could "collude" with?

 

[Fritz1]

Any news on the GAMI clamp?

[alextstone]

18 minutes ago, Fritz1 said:

Any news on the GAMI clamp?

I called John Paul at GAMI just now.  They are a long way off in that they are developing the smaller diameter of the two clamps they will offer (ours will be the larger one) first.  They will have a prototype of ours soon.  Then they must clear FAA approval, THEN they will start working on the AML one aircraft at a time.  He said EOY at the earliest but I would not hold my breath.

[alextstone]

Just to update those who are interested, Textron just shipped the new 40D23255-340M coupling I ordered in January.  Current ship date if ordered today is October.  Price is $1947.98 retail (shops are able to order at a modest discount).  

 

[amekler]

who did you order through?

Alan

[LANCECASPER]

who did you order through?
Alan

He mentioned Textron. (txtav.com)
Dealer cost is $1558.07
 
 

[Pinecone]

They must be making the new ones out of gold.

Crazy.  A clamp that a couple of years ago was under $300 is now over $1500.  And can be found in the car world for under $30.

[amekler]

$2433 if you want  to order through laser!

[LANCECASPER]

3 hours ago, Pinecone said:

They must be making the new ones out of gold.

Crazy.  A clamp that a couple of years ago was under $300 is now over $1500.  And can be found in the car world for under $30.

These ones for the Bravo were about $600 the last time I bought one in 2017, but still that’s crazy

[Pinecone]

Maybe GAMI will have an update on their clamp at Oshkosh

[alextstone]

3 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

Maybe GAMI will have an update on their clamp at Oshkosh

Hope springs eternal