How good is your pre-flight?

[chopper_nut]

Right got the images going ok now. Photobucket appears to be down.

You arrive at your local airstrip late for your flight / lesson. Your instructor or passenger are already waiting for you and the aircraft is sitting outside, in this case, a PA18. You start your walkaround as per usual. Checking the oil and having a quick lookse at the engine, you close the right hand cowling

Did you see it?

How bout now?

The aircraft was not in immediate danger for circuit flying but the weight that was being supported by four mounts, is now being supported by three.
I consider myself to be pretty vigilant during preflight but I reckon that I wouldnt have spotted this under the above conditions unless the light caught the edge of the metal or something like that. It was slightly easier to spot when the aircraft was outside.

This has grounded the aircraft and has prevented a friend of mine doing her PPL flight test this weekend. A good reminder to beginners and veterans to be careful when doing the walkaround.

[victor_alpha_charlie]

What am I looking for?

[chopper_nut]

My point exactly

[victor_alpha_charlie]

QUOTE (chopper_nut @ Apr 20 2008, 04:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My point exactly

Found it! Due to the colour of the metal it's pretty hard to see!

[chopper_nut]

Exactly, if you were in the situation above, chances are, you wouldnt have spotted it.

[Daniel]

Heck! Only just noticed the defect.
Good spotting chopper_nut

Cheers
Daniel

[chopper_nut]

My friend was filling out the type rating form on Friday when I went out there. Me and another chap were standing there larking around a bit when he spotted the defect. It had already flown once like that, I wonder if it would have been spotted at all if it hadnt been pointed out.

[NZ255]

OK, seriously, what are we looking for?

[Charl]

QUOTE (NZ255 @ Apr 20 2008, 05:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK, seriously, what are we looking for?

For a moment, I thought CN was alluding to the fact that the Lycoming was a coupla cylinders short, to fly a real aeroplane.
Then I remembered he said "Tomahawk"

[A185F]

QUOTE (chopper_nut @ Apr 20 2008, 03:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The aircraft was not in immediate danger for circuit flying but the weight that was being supported by four mounts, is now being supported by three.

Uhhhh I kinda dissagree there..... I really do hope that no one did go circuit flying with it being like that........ Please tell me it was instantly grounded There is no way on this earth that it could be safely operated like that and if it did (unknowingly) then those who few it are VERY lucky.
Very good find though, that could have potentially saved lives

[chopper_nut]

It had been flown like that, at least we presume that it was like that when it was flown. It was immediatly grounded, probably be outta the air for a week or so while the other mounts are checked. When I said there was no immediate danger, I was alluding to the fact that it was unlikely to have suffered a major structural failure right then and there.

QUOTE (Charl @ Apr 25 2008, 07:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For a moment, I thought CN was alluding to the fact that the Lycoming was a coupla cylinders short, to fly a real aeroplane.
Then I remembered he said "Tomahawk"

Its actually a PA18 Super Cub

[ZK-Brock]

I've never learned to check this in the C150... in the Tecnam though there were just 4 springs holding the engine one, or so it seemed

[Charl]

QUOTE (chopper_nut @ Apr 20 2008, 09:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Its actually a PA18 Super Cub

Meh PA-18, PA-38...I don't know my Cub from my Tomahawk.
Good job I wasn't in charge of the walkover then, might've reported 2 cylinders missing as well .

[pois0n]

QUOTE (chopper_nut @ Apr 20 2008, 03:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

in this case, a PA18.

Uh oh, there's the problem!

But seriously, thanks for the heads up. I totally wouldn't have seen it