So after an uneventful landing at KAEX the FBO towed us over to the maintenance shop. Oh boy. Very large old hanger containing an old Bellanca Viking with the cowling off and pretty flat tires, a Stearman in pieces and some unidentifiable tail dragger with no skin on the frame. A guy came out with a work uniform on and after coaxing said his name was Jay. I could only assume he was the mechanic. He said the boss wasn't there. I told him the problem but there wasn't much of a response. I got on the phone with my mechanic at home and we decided on a trouble shooting plan. I took the cowl off with the "mechanic" watching. Nothing was obviously wrong on first look. You can access the compressor wheel of the turbine with the air filter off, so I took it off with the "mechanic" watching. The wheel was clearly wobbling around, so definitely a turbo failure. I told Jay we needed the shop to take off the turbo. Not a simple job but not an unreasonable request for an A&P (I had to assume he had such a certificate.). He pulled the plane into the hangacr. He had a huge toolbox across the hangar (it did have wheels) and proceeded to go back and forth get tools that apparently he thought he might need - one.....at....a....time. Lane and I went for some lunch and when we got back he'd brought more tools over but had essentially removed or accomplished nothing. I started very slowly helping him a bit at a time (I am not an A&P, but have removed a turbo previously.) He didn't object. Jay had told me earlier he was glad we were there and was glad to help because he had no work. (What A&P these days has no work?????) The shop owner showed up. An older fellow that by my experience had had a stroke at some point. He talked slowly but was understandable. I covered what had happened and what we needed. I continued to work on the turbo removal with Jay pretty much just watching. I was very polite and carefully asked each time I went to his toolbox (which he finally did roll over to the plane) to get a needed tool. I got to the point where everything was disconnected except the 4 mounting bolts. I could not get them off. So at this point I told Jay that it looked liked we'd gone as far as possible and didn't have the tools needed. Very carefully and politely said it looked like I'd have to bring in a mechanic with the right tools. I said I'd work out with the owner that he'd be fairly compensated. He seemed ok with that. I gave the same pitch to the owner, and he said ok. So I have to leave the plane there, come back with my mechanic and tools, and I've kind of given this guy a blank check as to what I'll have to pay for staying in his hangar and keeping Jay happy. Egads. A friend at home had seen our diversion and texted me if we needed help. I said yes, so he got in the Mooney and flew out to recover Lane and me. Got home about 10:30. Long day. the recovery of the plane will be interesting. I have a plan. Wish me luck.
Sorry to hear, Lance. AOGs are never fun, and the less familiar the facility is with your plane the worse it is. Did you do any looking into the engine as well? Borescope or the like?
That sucks. If you could have made it to 3R7 (Jennings) there is a great shop that could have made your life easier.
Not the Nightmare at 20,000 feet, but it certainly sounds like you’ve entered the Twilight Zone. Hopefully it all works out for you!
Depending on how much availability your mechanic has it might be best to bring him to the plane and get the work knocked out. But as has already been mentioned, I wouldn't just slap a turbo on it and assume all is well. I haven't had a turbo failure to deal with on an aircraft engine but I know from experience that turbo failures on other engines can end up sending metal everywhere so hopefully the problem is isolated but I wouldn't stop without looking at the rest of the engine.
Louisiana.... banjo music in the back ground....men in gray work clothes smilin' toothless smiles at ya.... this is starting to sound like a movie Ned Beatty was in....
Based on his description of the err, maintenance facility and its personnel, I suspect that particular device wasn't on the premises, and if it was, "Jay" didn't know how to use it.
I have a pair of “WWR” (working when removed) Garretts if you want to borrow one to get it home, dm me and we’ll see if they are compatible.
