ATTENTION Murphy Elite Operators: ANOTHER ELITE FOUND WITH CRACKS
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 8:06 pm
John,
I was catching up on emails after being away and finally got arround to the
builders site and noticed your posting and photos about the cracks in the
Elite horizontal stab hinge area. I went out today to do some flying and
checked mine, Elite 755.
"THE RIGHT HINGE AREA HAS CRACKS IN THE BOLT AREA AND THE OUTER RIB
FLANGE IS CRACKED ALONG THE VERTICAL BEND WHERE IT IS ATTACHED TO
THE SPAR BY THE HINGE BOLTS*******************"
I too regularly inspect and lubricate these hinges, and dirt and oil did a great
job hiding these hair line cracks.
Here are a few facts:
Elite 755 first flown July 2007
A/C had 365 hours all on wheels
All bolts were tightened with the use of a torque wrench
A/C hangared and when outside, the flight controls are secured (seat belt)
I have not dissassembled, therefore it is possible that the left side may have
cracks, but if there are some, they are certainly difficult to see. The damage
is very similar to John's.
I will be contacting MAM to see what they recommend and post pictures
once I take things apart.
Gilbert Tessier
Edmonton, AB
On 9/4/2010 7:24 PM, jlmax55@gmail.com wrote to rebel-builders:
-> Service Difficulty Report:
->
-> Date: 21 August 2010
-> Model: Murphy Elite
-> Serial #: 549
-> Built: 2004
-> TTSN: 273 Hours
-> Damage History: None, all time on wheels (tail dragger) except last 33
hours
-> on Murphy 1800 amphibs (installed end of June 2010).
->
-> Findings:
->
-> Further to my initial report, I have removed the horizontal stabilizer,
-> elevator and outboard hinges and conducted further inspections with the
-> assistance of an AME. I have posted new photographs of these
inspections at
-> http://www.dcsol.com/murphy-rebel/ under Files>Elite>301 E-Horizontal
-> Stab.
->
-> The hairline fractures in the horizontal stabilizer rear spar extend almost
-> the complete width of the right hinge (underneath it), and about 1/3 of the
-> width of the left hinge. Interior examination (through access panel)
-> disclosed hairline fractures at the corner of both tip ribs. The parts were
-> inspected in the as-found condition, and then after cleaning.The hairline
-> fractures were difficult to detect optically, and a magnifying glass and
-> flashlight were used to aid the exterior and interior inspections.
->
-> Murphy Aircraft Mfg Ltd Technical Support and Patterson Aero Sales were
-> advised of these new findings on 4 Sept and photographs were sent to
them.
-> I am currently waiting for modification/repair parts and instructions from
-> Murphy Aircraft Mfg. Ltd.
->
-> Take Care
->
-> John Garstang
->
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I was catching up on emails after being away and finally got arround to the
builders site and noticed your posting and photos about the cracks in the
Elite horizontal stab hinge area. I went out today to do some flying and
checked mine, Elite 755.
"THE RIGHT HINGE AREA HAS CRACKS IN THE BOLT AREA AND THE OUTER RIB
FLANGE IS CRACKED ALONG THE VERTICAL BEND WHERE IT IS ATTACHED TO
THE SPAR BY THE HINGE BOLTS*******************"
I too regularly inspect and lubricate these hinges, and dirt and oil did a great
job hiding these hair line cracks.
Here are a few facts:
Elite 755 first flown July 2007
A/C had 365 hours all on wheels
All bolts were tightened with the use of a torque wrench
A/C hangared and when outside, the flight controls are secured (seat belt)
I have not dissassembled, therefore it is possible that the left side may have
cracks, but if there are some, they are certainly difficult to see. The damage
is very similar to John's.
I will be contacting MAM to see what they recommend and post pictures
once I take things apart.
Gilbert Tessier
Edmonton, AB
On 9/4/2010 7:24 PM, jlmax55@gmail.com wrote to rebel-builders:
-> Service Difficulty Report:
->
-> Date: 21 August 2010
-> Model: Murphy Elite
-> Serial #: 549
-> Built: 2004
-> TTSN: 273 Hours
-> Damage History: None, all time on wheels (tail dragger) except last 33
hours
-> on Murphy 1800 amphibs (installed end of June 2010).
->
-> Findings:
->
-> Further to my initial report, I have removed the horizontal stabilizer,
-> elevator and outboard hinges and conducted further inspections with the
-> assistance of an AME. I have posted new photographs of these
inspections at
-> http://www.dcsol.com/murphy-rebel/ under Files>Elite>301 E-Horizontal
-> Stab.
->
-> The hairline fractures in the horizontal stabilizer rear spar extend almost
-> the complete width of the right hinge (underneath it), and about 1/3 of the
-> width of the left hinge. Interior examination (through access panel)
-> disclosed hairline fractures at the corner of both tip ribs. The parts were
-> inspected in the as-found condition, and then after cleaning.The hairline
-> fractures were difficult to detect optically, and a magnifying glass and
-> flashlight were used to aid the exterior and interior inspections.
->
-> Murphy Aircraft Mfg Ltd Technical Support and Patterson Aero Sales were
-> advised of these new findings on 4 Sept and photographs were sent to
them.
-> I am currently waiting for modification/repair parts and instructions from
-> Murphy Aircraft Mfg. Ltd.
->
-> Take Care
->
-> John Garstang
->
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