Skybolt Don
Member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2010
- Messages
- 7
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I experienced a tie rod (I'm trying to use the correct terminology) breakage Monday. The broken rod is located on the forward, lower, port horiz stab. The break is 5.5" from the (upper)rod end in the flat. There was no deformation nor nicks etc. The break is on a ~45 degree angle. The aircraft was built by Jerry Cornelius of <?:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
ffice:smarttags" /><st1:State w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Alabama</st1lace></st1:State> in 1980. Cornelius was a somewhat prolific Skybolt builder. The rod is original. I cannot determine the manufactured but there is no "BM" mark which I understand is typical of Brunton products. <?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" />The aircraft was in level unaccelerated flight at 2500' at about 140 mph. I had just departed Merritt Island (FL) airport and was crossing the <st1
lace w:st="on">Indian River</st1lace> which exhibited its usual moderate thermal bumps. The sensation was like having a tow rope break but notdramatic. I did not know what it was and since it was so "un"dramatic I continued the flight and did several aerobatic maneuvers. Upon landing there was the two pieces still in there relative position. There are no marks on the aircraft from flailing wire.
I took the broken part over to Steen Aero Lab in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Palm Bay</st1lace></st1:City> and talked with David who had no opinion on the âwhyâ of the break. Iâve owned the aircraft since 1994 when it had 364 hours total. I knew the previous owners and they are like me in that the aerobatic maneuvers are limited to +3.5+ and 0 gâs; not very demanding stuff for a Skybolt.Are there any other similar occurrences in Forum-land? Also, does anyone have a 39â tail wire that want to sell since I am grounded for at least 12 weeks.
