Tom-D
Taxi to Parking
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2005
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Tom-D
We often see these wonderfull old aircraft at air shows, but here is what the owners must contend with.
this story and pictures came off the Yahoo "Fairchild" web page, these are NOT my Engine.
Hi Folks,
My '29 Great Lakes replica is powered by a 200hp Ranger. On 23 May
while at a cruise setting of 1950rpm, the No.6 connecting rod
broke. I have posted a new photo folder (Engine Destruction) to
show the folks here the results of the incident.
I was able to land in a hayfield without further incident.
I am the third owner of this aircraft and the engine has only about
80 hours on the clock. The engine was certified when installed (per
the FAA) but I have no history on the overhauler.
My best guess is that somewhere, sometime in it's past, the engine
was started with a minor hydraulic lock in the No. 6 cylinder which
bent the rod slightly. The damaged rod continued to degrade until
it gave up the ghost with the pictured results.
Guys, it's imperative to pull your Ranger's through all cylinders
before EVERY start (Warners too). If one jug is tight, STOP. Pull
it through in reverse to dump the oil into the intake or pull the
plug. My practice is to pull the engine through even if I'm only
shutdown for a 15 minute refuel. You only have to do this kind of
damage once to get a chance to test your off-field landing skills.
Fly safe,
Mike in Oregon
The 4th picture is what the whole engine looks like on a stand.
this story and pictures came off the Yahoo "Fairchild" web page, these are NOT my Engine.
Hi Folks,
My '29 Great Lakes replica is powered by a 200hp Ranger. On 23 May
while at a cruise setting of 1950rpm, the No.6 connecting rod
broke. I have posted a new photo folder (Engine Destruction) to
show the folks here the results of the incident.
I was able to land in a hayfield without further incident.
I am the third owner of this aircraft and the engine has only about
80 hours on the clock. The engine was certified when installed (per
the FAA) but I have no history on the overhauler.
My best guess is that somewhere, sometime in it's past, the engine
was started with a minor hydraulic lock in the No. 6 cylinder which
bent the rod slightly. The damaged rod continued to degrade until
it gave up the ghost with the pictured results.
Guys, it's imperative to pull your Ranger's through all cylinders
before EVERY start (Warners too). If one jug is tight, STOP. Pull
it through in reverse to dump the oil into the intake or pull the
plug. My practice is to pull the engine through even if I'm only
shutdown for a 15 minute refuel. You only have to do this kind of
damage once to get a chance to test your off-field landing skills.
Fly safe,
Mike in Oregon
The 4th picture is what the whole engine looks like on a stand.
