Loose prop on Bantam B22J / Jabiru 3300
Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2013 3:31 pm
Dear Forumites
During a pre-flight today we found that the prop was loose on the prop flange, and had been loose for a while already. The locating studs developed a groove where they go through the flange, the holes in the flange are now slightly oval, the prop mounting bolts are worn thinner and the prop has a few minor cracks radiating outwards from the mounting holes. The bolt torque was checked four hours ago, in accordance with the manual.
What could have caused this? I maintain that to check a torque you must first loosen the bolt and then re-tighten, otherwise you're working against static friction and this gives a higher torque reading than when the nut is torqued from loose.
Blue skies
Arthur
During a pre-flight today we found that the prop was loose on the prop flange, and had been loose for a while already. The locating studs developed a groove where they go through the flange, the holes in the flange are now slightly oval, the prop mounting bolts are worn thinner and the prop has a few minor cracks radiating outwards from the mounting holes. The bolt torque was checked four hours ago, in accordance with the manual.
What could have caused this? I maintain that to check a torque you must first loosen the bolt and then re-tighten, otherwise you're working against static friction and this gives a higher torque reading than when the nut is torqued from loose.
Blue skies
Arthur