Nose gear concerns
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Nose gear concerns
I'm not sure whether this is the correct forum to mention this topic, but since Screwup Chronicles includes "lessons learned the hard way", I'll start here. This is not about my own screwup, but something that all of us building nosewheel RVs need to watch out for. On an least one of the other RV forums, there has lately been a lot of discussion about nose gears collapsing. The subject is of sufficient concern that Van himself addresses it in the latest RVaitor. I'll leave those interested to check it out if you haven't already. The bottom line is that IF your nose wheel fairing-to-tire clearance is too tight, or IF your tire inflation is not correct, the fairing can contact the tire upon landing, possibly locking it up and standing the airplane on the nose gear, obviously with unfortunate results . So if you're flying, or fitting the nose gear fairing (or pant), beware! You can bet I'm filing this tidbit away for reference when I get to that point!
Ben
RV-9A #90217
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RV-9A #90217
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- Chief Rivet Banger
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Wow, thats interesting. I have to say that I would have thought it would skid more than flip if that wheel were to lock up. I guess though it might be because the CG is behind the wheel instead of in front. Have there been any reports of collapse for other reasons? Say failure at the leg to engine mount interface?
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Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl
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The mechanism of the accidents seems to be a jamming of the nose wheel by the pant, causing the airplane to transfer all of it's weight to the nose gear, which then collapses. Doesn't appear to be a case of the strut (for example) breaking first. I seem to recall reading somewhere of a nose strut that failed, but that was traced to the builder nicking the strut when fitting the fairing. The nick became a stress riser, a crack developed, and eventually, the strut failed. THAT appears to be rare. I've never heard of a failure at the strut-to-engine mount connection.
In conjunction with this subject, I have noticed a lot of warnings to keep the nose wheel off the ground as long as possible upon landing. Just something to be aware of.
In conjunction with this subject, I have noticed a lot of warnings to keep the nose wheel off the ground as long as possible upon landing. Just something to be aware of.
Ben
RV-9A #90217
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RV-9A #90217
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