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Nose gear concerns
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 9:55 am
by nightflyer
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!
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 11:32 am
by Spike
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?
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 11:49 am
by Bob Barrett
Some of the early model RV-6A's had a problem with the nose gear. Van's issued a recall or replaced nose gears. This was about 1999. If you have an older RV-6A kit you want to be sure that you have the beefed up nose gear.
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 12:05 pm
by nightflyer
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.
Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 4:02 pm
by captain_john
The best solution to this problem is a matter of logistics.
Put the nosewheel behind the mains!
CJ
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:37 pm
by BillyBob
Nah! That doesn't work either. Moving the nose wheel just moves the problem to a new location.
captain_john wrote:The best solution to this problem is a matter of logistics.
Put the nosewheel behind the mains!
CJ
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 5:20 pm
by captain_john
Hahaha, you lays your money down and you takes your chances!
Personally I would take one in either configuration!
It is just that I prefer mine in the back.
CJ
Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:16 pm
by Dan A
captain_john wrote:
It is just that I prefer mine in the back.
CJ
Me too!
Dan
Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 5:22 pm
by aparchment
captain_john wrote:
It is just that I prefer mine in the back.
CJ
Too much information John.
Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 5:42 pm
by captain_john
DOH!
I will be more cautious with my phraseology from now on!!!
CJ