Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Hey Guys,

Working through our final throws of getting our new Thorp in the air and came across the NTSB report in 2000 on the Thorp that went in with the exact same engine/prop combination as our Thorp. A IO-360B1E and Hartzell HC-F2YR-1F. The prop and engine are brand new never run. Engine was recently split and checked as fine by and A&E. But the prop has a Santa Monica propellor placard saying it was done in 1987. The NTSB report said that 14.5 inches of the blade seperated on the Thorp that crashed. Can anyone give me some advice before our first flight. Maybe I should send prop back for another check since it has been sitting for so long. Have run on the ground and airplane is smooth and no leaks in the prop. I am thinking of running a safety cable through the cylinders just in case.

Thanks for the advice,

Brent Schultz
Corona Airport, CA Thorpers

Look at my album. I have attached some more pictures of new Thorp "Yellow Bird." And also some more of ole Six Charlie Mike.

Call Les Dowd at Hartzell and discuss it with him. He is the experimental prop/engine guru there and can give you the ins and outs. The main thing will be the time since overhaul and what the blades have been shortened to. You need to have the blade designation and serial numbers for him to give you the best advice.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Thanks Bob. I appreciate the input.

Brent : Nice job ! I don't remember seeing this AC at Corona ? Many years ago an Airline Captain told me..."Rich if there is doubt , there is no doubt !" A good research on this prop before the first flight would be first in my book ! A cable thru the cylinders is only going to take you to the scene of the accident if the prop decides to find a new home . JMHO !

RB

Nice work Brent! For those that don't know that's ken Brock's old project.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Well.....

Did my homework and he prop we have and it falls under the AD requiring eddy current testing of the hub every 100 hours. Talked to Hartzell and theye confirmed that it is so. Talked to Santa Monica propellor and they want $4,200 to replace the hub with a "B" hub which does not fall under the AD and 100 hour inspection requirement.

So currently am thinking I will either look around for a "B" hub replacement, or get the prop overhauled for $1,500 by Santa Monica propeller and do the yearly eddy current inspections.

Still thinking it through.....any good advice from you guys?

From a maintenance standpoint , I would go with a fixed pitch . Sounds like a lot of "Do Dah" to go thru every 100 hours . Maybe sell what you have and upgrade to something that is less time consuming ?

RB

Brent, Replacing that prop is not necessary at all. Do an eddy check if you feel the need but there are literally 1000s of those hubs flying. Have it overhauled or resealed (your choice) but no need to replace the prop.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD