NSI CAP 140 Prop problems

[Wayne G. O'Shea]

Thought I should send this to the list in case any of you guys are gambling
your lives with Lance's stuff! Wayne

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This summer an RAA member suffered the loss of a prop blade on his
amphibious 912S Kitfox, that was equipped with a NSI CAP 140 propellor.The
engine immediately broke from its mount, but fortunately was retained by the
hoses and cables. The pilot was able to make a successful emergency landing
with the departed blade stuck into his float.

The NSI CAP 140 prop is in-flight adjustable and has three Warp Drive blades
that are modified by the addition of an aluminum cuff that fits into the NSI
hub. There have so far been two versions of this cuff, with a third version
about to be released. Some applications will have their effective lives
limited by this AD, and others are grounded immediately. New version 3 parts
are not yet ready, so some planes will be grounded until parts are available
near the end of this year.

Effective immediately, all 912S Rotax engines with either the version 1 or
version 2 cuff are grounded. These parts may not be used any longer. Ship
your blades to NSI for installation of the version 3 cuff. Lance Wheeler has
told me this morning that the cost will be under $500 US.

Effective immediately, all 912 engines with the version 1 cuff are limited
to 500 hours. All 912 engines with the version 2 cuff are limited to 1000
hours. Blades must then be shipped to NSI for installation of the version 3
cuff.

Effective immediately, all 914 engines with the version 1 cuff are limited
to 700 hours. All 914 engines with the version 2 cuff are limited to 1000
hours. Blades must then be shipped to NSI for installation of the version 3
cuff.

In Lance Wheeler's estimate, blades fitted with the version 3 cuff will have
an effective life of 2000 hours.This estimate has been calculated by Finite
Element Analysis. The full story on this will be printed in the next issue
of the Recreational Flyer.





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[Legeorgen]

I have first hand knowledge of an NSI prop failure on a 912 Kitfox 5 years
ago. This prop failure broke the engine mount on a Kitfox model 5 at a fly in at
Caldwell Id. and fortunately the pilot and plane survived to fly again.

I can hardly believe people are still giving NSI money and buying his
products after all the bad press (and justifiably) he has received over the years. I
guess there is a sucker born every minute. Buyer beware!

Bruce




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