Cracked main gear found during annual

[rbmaze]

I am working through my first annual. While the light is at the end of the tunnel, I was informed today my left main gear has a crack.

The shop noted it earlier in the annual and didn't think it was really a crack, but wanted to dye pen it to be sure. They did it twice and confirmed it is indeed cracked.

My question is, how common is this? Is it likely this was cracked for a while? I took it to a new IA from where it was previously maintained. This didn't arise in my prebuy last year. I am disappointed but this should only be about $2.5k with a salvage part and labor.

[EricJ]

They're claiming those little purple dots are a crack?   I don't think that's a crack based on that indication, it looks more like just a little bit of porosity in the weld.

[Kelpro999]

No cracks in the photos, maybe somewhere else?

[Fritz1]

Get a second and a third opinion on the crack, there may be none

[rbmaze]

Thanks for the quick responses! How would one go about a second and third opinion? I'm out of annual as of 7/1.

[hammdo]

I’d suggest a Ferry permit. Get them to sign off what they have completed  - inspection is technically complete - and note the discrepancies. I believe Savvy (if you have their program) notes that… then goto another AP to get their opinion…

-Don

 

[N201MKTurbo]

I don't see a crack.

[MikeOH]

25 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

I don't see a crack.

I don't think any of us do!

Thing is, his IA does; and THAT is a problem.  Time to get a ferry permit out of that guy's shop!

[MikeOH]

@rbmaze

If this is at a shop at KMYF, are there other shops on field with an IA?  If so, taxi on over for your second opinion

[rbmaze]

@MikeOH Good point, that would be easy!  Unfortunately my Mooney is at a smaller airport in SD County right now. I've asked Savvy for advice on this matter as they are managing my annual.

[MikeOH]

Just now, rbmaze said:

I've asked Savvy for advice on this matter as they are managing my annual.

THAT is good news!

My bet is they'll get you through this.  I assume they've looked at the photo, as well?

[DCarlton]

I'm no expert but I'll bet it's always been that way; perhaps a less than absolutely perfect weld.  What did they see before the dye test that created the concern?  A crack in the paint?  

[rbmaze]

12 minutes ago, DCarlton said:

I'm no expert but I'll bet it's always been that way; perhaps a less than absolutely perfect weld.  What did they see before the dye test that created the concern?  A crack in the paint?  

There was indeed a rusty crack in the paint. The shop said they didn't think the dye-penetrant inspection would actually reveal a crack, but suggested looking closer just to be safe.

 

[EricJ]

It looks to me like they cleaned it up and determined that there is no crack.

[Utah20Gflyer]

Also vote no crack.  It looks like there is just a tiny bit of undercut on the weld in that spot.  I think when the part was painted there was an air pocket where that undercut is and later the paint cracked because it wasn’t attached in that spot.  Of course eyeballs IRL are superior to most pictures so who knows.  I think a wait and see approach is warranted.  Keep in mind I was never issued a CB card and am unlikely to get issued one in the future.  Replacing one used and very likely good gear leg with another used gear leg doesn’t create any value in my mind.  

[DCarlton]

8 minutes ago, Utah20Gflyer said:

Replacing one used and very likely good gear leg with another used gear leg doesn’t create any value in my mind.  

Yep.

[PT20J]

I got a new nose gear leg from Mooney that had a pinhole weld defect that was letting the rust preventative oil that’s put inside the tubes seep out. It was brown and at first I thought it was rust. I rejected it and Mooney exchanged it. That may be what you have here. Probably not a big issue. You could always call Frank Crawford at Mooney for an opinion. IAs will  defer to the factory as a higher authority. 

[47U]

3 hours ago, rbmaze said:

There was indeed a rusty crack in the paint. The shop said they didn't think the dye-penetrant inspection would actually reveal a crack, but suggested looking closer just to be safe.

 

I’d like to see a picture of the crack taken under the black light.  I’m guessing this defect is not common.

Rather than replace the leg, you might be better off removing it, having it welded, heat treated, then paint and reinstall it.  I think repair and paint would be cheaper than a salvage part, with unknown history.  

Let us know how it turns out… good luck.

[Joshua Blackh4t]

The following happened to someone I know. At one point the mechanic found a crack in the engine mount which had my friend worried. It was very minimal, probably similar to that. It needed a mirror etc to see.

Luckily for him, the mechanic is very common sense and let him continue to fly it but kept monitoring it to see what it would do. Since it never changed, they decided its a flaw in the metal and just keep monitoring it.

Since yours is in the landing gear, and therefore no risk of it causing a scary accident, I would definitely be suggesting it could have been there its whole life and can they keep monitoring it and see what it does. Offer to bring it back after 10 landings.

[Kelpro999]

15 hours ago, rbmaze said:

Unfortunately my Mooney is at a smaller airport in SD County right now.

 We’re practically neighbors, I’m over at ksee.

 My ocd is getting the best of me looking at your missing grease fitting 

[47U]

5 minutes ago, Kelpro999 said:

 My ocd is getting the best of me looking at your missing grease fitting 

Continuing the (minor) thread drift.  

I was able to remove the broken zerk with my valve stem tool.  I am resigned to greasing the front trunnion with a flush fitting.  It works best with the airplane on jacks and gear in transit (manual gear, anyway).  I think if I replaced it, some ham-handed grease monkey would just break it off again.

[DCarlton]

20 minutes ago, Kelpro999 said:

 We’re practically neighbors, I’m over at ksee.

 My ocd is getting the best of me looking at your missing grease fitting 

I'm starting to wonder how many MS Mooney drivers we have in SD county now.  KSEE would be a good fly in with the restaurant.   

[Pinecone]

@kortopates

[kortopates]

[mention=7862]kortopates[/mention]

thanks, i am on the ticket


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jim Peace]

Lady who fly upside down bound to have crack up....

from a fortune cookie....