Hartzell Top Prop Spinner Break up

[JetSet1967]

I have a Top Prop from Hartzell on my M20C. It has less than 40 hours on it and look what happened. I hope that Hartzell will warranty this..Anyone else had this happen?

[PilotDerek]

Did that happen while you were flying? I hope they cover it for you.

[carusoam]

JetSet,

I am not familiar with the issue there. But I do know the manager of TopProp at Harzell is Mike Trudeau, mtrudeau@ hartzellprop.com.

He's a good guy working for a solid company, you might want to contact him.

Best regards,

-a-

[Seth]

I second Jim's comment. There are known issues with spinner's cracking on the Top Prop. Someone else on this board had a very similar issue in flight.

-Seth

[tyrefoote]

I Just ordered the top prop last week. I was assured by Hartzel that this problem had been corrected. Please keep us informed. How long ago was your prop ordered ?

[JetSet1967]

Happened in flight...The good news is, it was uneventful, all I noticed was a little vibration. Thought that the prop may need to be balanced. The prop was installed 2 years ago. It has just shy of 40 hours on the prop and spinner.

[JetSet1967]

Good news...Called Hartzell and talked to Erin..she sent me a warranty claim form..Filled it out...got new composite spinner next day air NO CHARGE. Only downfall is its is white. But overall very satisfied with Hartzell Customer service...

[carusoam]

Congratulations on finding a reputable American manufacturer.

I feel better about placing my order with them already...

Best regards,

-a-

[Lionudakis]

I've had 1 crack like that around 40 hrs I believe, the replacement had another 40, and I now have the composite one, with 0 hrs so far. To bad the shiny one's don't last, but the customer service has been great !

[KSMooniac]

Hard to believe in this day and age they can't make an aluminum spinner that doesn't crack. My 35 year old McCauley spinner held up fine until I switched to the MT. The MT has a shiny fiberglass spinner too, something else Hartzell can't seem to do.

[Lionudakis]

Hard to believe in this day and age they can't make an aluminum spinner that doesn't crack. My 35 year old McCauley spinner held up fine until I switched to the MT. The MT has a shiny fiberglass spinner too, something else Hartzell can't seem to do.

My exact words! Seems these days the quality of 'approved' stuff has gone down, and the paperwork and cost up, kind of contradictory with modern technology and methods. The spinner the Hartzell replaced was 49 years old, shiny metal, and had 3200 hrs on it

[jamesm]

You guys do realize there is a what Hartzell calls an Alert Service Bulletin for this very issue

Some where in this web site someone (sorry don't recall who) brought it to my attention and I appreciate them sharing the information, advice and wisdom.

http://www.hartzellp...pport.php?id=80

HC-ASB-61-332 Full Document Dec 13, 2011 Propeller - Spinner Assembly 835-54(P) installed on Mooney M20( ) aircraft under Hartzell STC SA02414CH-D, 1

The details are in the ASB but to briefly summarize you cut the part/serial number section out of metal spinner dome assembly sent it to Hartzell. You get 3 types of finishes to chose from ( I think it is white ,Sliver it isn't really silver looking more of dull gray, unfinished) and they send you new composite spinner at no charge but I don't know if this offer still valid. I did my spinner dome back in February / March 2012 but just recently got the airplane flying again since I was doing other stuff to it.

You have to modify metal adapter ring assembly by adding 2 nutplates on each side.

these nutplates hold/support the new composite filer plates. I have about 12 hrs on it now no complaints on the installation. The spinner dome sticks out further than metal spinner dome and the composite weight is a wash if I recall correctly however the new scimitar prop is about 4 lbs heavier.

James '67C

[skyking]

Gents: I recieved a recall letter last year.

There have been multiple failures of that spinner.

I had a beautiful polished chrome one and had to settle for a white replacement as they are all composite now.

[KSMooniac]

FYI, my MT spinner is fiberglass, but has a shiny coating on it ala cheap auto parts these days that are molded plastic with a chrome-look coating. If you pester Hartzell enough perhaps they will develop a process for their spinners. It can't be that hard or expensive...

[tyrefoote]

I Just recieved My new Top Prop from hartzell today, Polished alum. Looks fantastic !! Hope it stays together.

[carusoam]

Three blades or two?

-a-

[skyking]

You got a polished aluminum one? Wow....hope they fixed the problem. Thats what i had and the one they shipped me after the recall is painted white as they told me the polished aluminum ones are no longer available.

[rbs4159]

I bought the Top Prop in 2008 and am now on the 4th or 5th spinner. The original and subsequent replacements were replaced under warranty for exactly this proble, although I never personally excperienced it. The last warranty replacement they sent me is a painted composite spinner that they say permanently fixes the proble. We'll see but so far so good. 1968 M20C

[Stefanovm]

Me too. Happened in flight, but not noticed until post flight. Warranty replacement 2011 with polished. Replaced again under recall 4/2012 with no failure for now composite white with added parts. Fifty plus flight hours with no damage.