baronn 111 #1 Posted January 31, 2019 I've seen this happen once. Pretty devastating damage to the aircraft. I'm a big believer in prevention when I can. Mine is a 1958 182B. Has the flat steel gear legs Is this something to be concerned about? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DougH 270 #2 February 1, 2019 What would be the prevention here? Non-destructive testing at some interval? Magna-flux or x-ray? I think we all know that with metal parts there isn't always visible damage on the surface even though the part may have a major internal flaw. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pchapman 261 #3 February 1, 2019 The DZ I'm at had it happen once, about 15 years ago to one of their C-182's, late 1960's vintage I believe, while taxiing out. Bent the wing and horizontal tail but was fixed up. At the time the DZ was rocking as many as 6 182's . After that the DZO did start cycling airplanes through maintenance to have the flat-bar gear legs removed and inspected. I vaguely recall x-ray inspections were planned, but on the other hand I helped with stripping paint so some Magnaflux style test must have been on the agenda. So I don't know if it was one or both or what makes sense. In any case, repetitive jump ops on grass at near max gross weights must use up a lot of fatigue life, and you never know if there's a hidden nick or scratch somewhere. I know the break point was near the fuselage, but I don't recall if it was hidden within the heavy gear 'box' structure that holds the gear leg as it goes into the fuselage. Those gear boxes get a beating too and I guess can be partially inspected when the floor boards are unscrewed or unriveted? Not sure. I'm saying all this just as a jumper, not as anyone with 182 maintenance experience. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baronn 111 #4 February 1, 2019 NDT testing is the way to go. I acquired a set of gear legs and had them tested. Came back good. I wanna swap the1's in my plane and put these in. My mechanic thinks it's unnecessary. I'm gonna do it anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baronn 111 #5 February 7, 2019 Put the refurb'd gear in and had the old NDT'd. Passed and then sent them to be shotpeened. Will have them back in a week.. I'll have them for sale if anyone is interested. I was told by the shotpeen guy that they do a lot of these for Textron (Cessna Parent co.) Clearly Cessna feels its a good idea even though it hasn't been recommended or mandated. Have a few more snap off and it's likely the FAA will change that. As any A or B model is over 60 yrs old and knockin on 15-20K cycles, it really it is amazing it's not happened more often Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
