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Rocket II gear collapse

 
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cjaviator(at)gmail.com
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 2:07 am    Post subject: Rocket II gear collapse Reply with quote

Hi all.I look after the maintenance on a Rocket II (S/N 004, ex N67CW) down here in New Zealand.
Unfortunately it suffered a collapse of the RH gear leg on Saturday during take off on a grass strip. 
The pilot/owner thinks he hit a small depression/hole during the T/O roll which may have contributed to the final collapse.
The aircraft is most often operated from grass strips so it is perhaps not a big surprise that a failure has occurred.
(Naturally we keep a close eye on the engine mount / U/c mount during inspections but one can only see so much...)
I have not actually seen the damage yet as the aircraft is in transit on a trailer but I imagine the leg socket has been ripped out of the engine mount as opposed to the titanium leg fracturing. Airframe damage appears to be minimal but we will see!  
(Photos of the damage have not been clear enough to show what has happened).
I am trying to get ahead of the game prior to the aircraft's arrival at our facility by getting some information from the Rocket community as follows:
1)Short of operating off sealed strips, is there an improved engine mount that can be purchased / made that goes some way to preventing reoccurring cracks etc in the mount?
2) Is any of the F1 Rocket componentry usable on the Harmon Rocket II?  eg the longer gear legs and engine mount.
3) Which prop should we go for? Engine is an IO-540B1C and the owners primary concern is speed...  I have read that the stock standard Hartzell 2 blader is the best bet here?
Who is out there supplying bits that will best suit our needs and get us flying again quickly?


Thanks in advance,

Jay
JEM Aviation Ltd
New Zealand
www.jemavation.co.nz
+64 3 578 3063

[quote][b]


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stuart(at)stuarthutchison
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 6:04 am    Post subject: Rocket II gear collapse Reply with quote

Hi Jay,

Very sorry to hear about the accident. Mark Frederick can probably give you some pointers (f1boss(at)gmail.com (f1boss(at)gmail.com)).
There were problems with the early F1 Rocket mounts, leading to the introduction of the Indy mount option (pictured). The Indy mount is very strong, but I’ll be keeping a very close eye on it, given that my operating strip is grass and not exactly smooth.
[img]cid:7A8F553A-78EB-41FF-BB5A-A8C9428F1ADD(at)Home[/img]


Cheers, Stu
www.mykitlog.com/rockfly

On 19 Aug 2014, at 8:06 pm, Jay McIntyre <cjaviator(at)gmail.com (cjaviator(at)gmail.com)> wrote:
Quote:
Hi all.I look after the maintenance on a Rocket II (S/N 004, ex N67CW) down here in New Zealand.
Unfortunately it suffered a collapse of the RH gear leg on Saturday during take off on a grass strip.
The pilot/owner thinks he hit a small depression/hole during the T/O roll which may have contributed to the final collapse.
The aircraft is most often operated from grass strips so it is perhaps not a big surprise that a failure has occurred.
(Naturally we keep a close eye on the engine mount / U/c mount during inspections but one can only see so much...)
I have not actually seen the damage yet as the aircraft is in transit on a trailer but I imagine the leg socket has been ripped out of the engine mount as opposed to the titanium leg fracturing. Airframe damage appears to be minimal but we will see!
(Photos of the damage have not been clear enough to show what has happened).
I am trying to get ahead of the game prior to the aircraft's arrival at our facility by getting some information from the Rocket community as follows:
1)Short of operating off sealed strips, is there an improved engine mount that can be purchased / made that goes some way to preventing reoccurring cracks etc in the mount?
2) Is any of the F1 Rocket componentry usable on the Harmon Rocket II? eg the longer gear legs and engine mount.
3) Which prop should we go for? Engine is an IO-540B1C and the owners primary concern is speed... I have read that the stock standard Hartzell 2 blader is the best bet here?
Who is out there supplying bits that will best suit our needs and get us flying again quickly?


Thanks in advance,

Jay
JEM Aviation Ltd
New Zealand
www.jemavation.co.nz
+64 3 578 3063

Quote:


href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Rocket-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Rocket-List
href="http://forums.matronics.com/">http://forums.matronics.com
href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



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ernest(at)flmitigation.co
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 7:53 am    Post subject: Rocket II gear collapse Reply with quote

I am looking for a set of wings for my rocket if anyone knows of some please let me know
Ernest

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 19, 2014, at 10:02 AM, johntmey(at)aol.com (johntmey(at)aol.com) wrote:
[quote] Jay, Sorry to hear of the mishap.

If it turns out that you need some parts, I have 3 items of possible interest.

1) Rocket motor mount,

2) Rocket cowl...upper and lower

3) Rocket firewall

These are "early" Rocket parts from Harmon, likely made in mid/late 90's, never cut or installed. Important: Gear socket size is 1 & 1/4 inch. You may want to check yours for size... I understand that Harmon re-profiled the gear leg titanium billet... so the socket size is bigger on later Rockets.

John Meyers
Sequim, WA USA



--


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lb757(at)hotmail.com
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 8:55 am    Post subject: Rocket II gear collapse Reply with quote

Hello, if this is a Harmon Rocket I believe you could contact John Harmon. He also has a web site for the Rocket.
 

 
From: stuart(at)stuarthutchison.com.au
Subject: Re: Rocket-List: Rocket II gear collapse
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 00:03:06 +1000
To: rocket-list(at)matronics.com

Hi Jay,

Very sorry to hear about the accident.  Mark Frederick can probably give you some pointers (f1boss(at)gmail.com (f1boss(at)gmail.com)).
There were problems with the early F1 Rocket mounts, leading to the introduction of the Indy mount option (pictured).  The Indy mount is very strong, but I’ll be keeping a very close eye on it, given that my operating strip is grass and not exactly smooth.
[img]cid:7A8F553A-78EB-41FF-BB5A-A8C9428F1ADD(at)Home[/img]


Cheers, Stu
www.mykitlog.com/rockfly

On 19 Aug 2014, at 8:06 pm, Jay McIntyre <cjaviator(at)gmail.com (cjaviator(at)gmail.com)> wrote:
Quote:
Hi all.I look after the maintenance on a Rocket II (S/N 004, ex N67CW) down here in New Zealand.
Unfortunately it suffered a collapse of the RH gear leg on Saturday during take off on a grass strip. 
The pilot/owner thinks he hit a small depression/hole during the T/O roll which may have contributed to the final collapse.
The aircraft is most often operated from grass strips so it is perhaps not a big surprise that a failure has occurred.
(Naturally we keep a close eye on the engine mount / U/c mount during inspections but one can only see so much...)
I have not actually seen the damage yet as the aircraft is in transit on a trailer but I imagine the leg socket has been ripped out of the engine mount as opposed to the titanium leg fracturing. Airframe damage appears to be minimal but we will see!  
(Photos of the damage have not been clear enough to show what has happened).
I am trying to get ahead of the game prior to the aircraft's arrival at our facility by getting some information from the Rocket community as follows:
1)Short of operating off sealed strips, is there an improved engine mount that can be purchased / made that goes some way to preventing reoccurring cracks etc in the mount?
2) Is any of the F1 Rocket componentry usable on the Harmon Rocket II?  eg the longer gear legs and engine mount.
3) Which prop should we go for? Engine is an IO-540B1C and the owners primary concern is speed...  I have read that the stock standard Hartzell 2 blader is the best bet here?
Who is out there supplying bits that will best suit our needs and get us flying again quickly?


Thanks in advance,

Jay
JEM Aviation Ltd
New Zealand
www.jemavation.co.nz
+64 3 578 3063

Quote:


href="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Rocket-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Rocket-List
href="http://forums.matronics.com/">http://forums.matronics.com
href="http://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



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smokyray(at)rocketmail.co
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 9:28 am    Post subject: Rocket II gear collapse Reply with quote

Jay,
It's great to see "action on the list" eerily silent as of late.
John Harmon beefed up the HR2 mount and legs in later years and it is a superior product. My HR2 was purchased post ground loop repair from the exact same issue. FWF was replaced/rebuilt by LyCon and a D twist Hartzell from Johns site was installed.
I flew it for 1000 hours from my 1400" turf strip with no issues and sold it. The new owner removed the D twist (paddle) blade in lieu of a newer design blended airfoil 2 blade Hartzell that improved performance across the board. Climb and cruise improved 10-15% and far smoother. The prop is the RV10 prop with a rocket twist.
Mark Frederick as mentioned above can help you with all the aforementioned items. He is linked on the team rocket website.

http://www.teamrocketaircraft.com
V/R
Smokey
Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 19, 2014, at 5:06, Jay McIntyre <cjaviator(at)gmail.com (cjaviator(at)gmail.com)> wrote:
[quote]Hi all.I look after the maintenance on a Rocket II (S/N 004, ex N67CW) down here in New Zealand.
Unfortunately it suffered a collapse of the RH gear leg on Saturday during take off on a grass strip.
The pilot/owner thinks he hit a small depression/hole during the T/O roll which may have contributed to the final collapse.
The aircraft is most often operated from grass strips so it is perhaps not a big surprise that a failure has occurred.
(Naturally we keep a close eye on the engine mount / U/c mount during inspections but one can only see so much...)
I have not actually seen the damage yet as the aircraft is in transit on a trailer but I imagine the leg socket has been ripped out of the engine mount as opposed to the titanium leg fracturing. Airframe damage appears to be minimal but we will see!
(Photos of the damage have not been clear enough to show what has happened).
I am trying to get ahead of the game prior to the aircraft's arrival at our facility by getting some information from the Rocket community as follows:
1)Short of operating off sealed strips, is there an improved engine mount that can be purchased / made that goes some way to preventing reoccurring cracks etc in the mount?
2) Is any of the F1 Rocket componentry usable on the Harmon Rocket II? eg the longer gear legs and engine mount.
3) Which prop should we go for? Engine is an IO-540B1C and the owners primary concern is speed... I have read that the stock standard Hartzell 2 blader is the best bet here?
Who is out there supplying bits that will best suit our needs and get us flying again quickly?


Thanks in advance,

Jay
JEM Aviation Ltd
New Zealand
www.jemavation.co.nz
+64 3 578 3063

Quote:


D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
t-List"">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Rocket-List
D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
//forums.matronics.com
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ot;">http://www.matronics.com/contribution
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[b]


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gassenp(at)earthlink.net
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PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 8:35 pm    Post subject: Rocket II gear collapse Reply with quote

I have a late 90’s HR2 kit unfinished.
Wings have 1 piece skins.
Unused anodized RV4 spars and complete rib set, many RV4 parts.

Paul Gassen
gassenp(at)earthlink.net (gassenp(at)earthlink.net)
San Diego county

From: Ernest Hale (ernest(at)flmitigation.com)
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2014 8:52 AM
To: rocket-list(at)matronics.com (rocket-list(at)matronics.com)
Subject: Re: Rocket II gear collapse


I am looking for a set of wings for my rocket if anyone knows of some please let me know

Ernest

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 19, 2014, at 10:02 AM, johntmey(at)aol.com (johntmey(at)aol.com) wrote:
[quote] Jay, Sorry to hear of the mishap.

If it turns out that you need some parts, I have 3 items of possible interest.

1) Rocket motor mount,

2) Rocket cowl...upper and lower

3) Rocket firewall

These are "early" Rocket parts from Harmon, likely made in mid/late 90's, never cut or installed. Important: Gear socket size is 1 & 1/4 inch. You may want to check yours for size... I understand that Harmon re-profiled the gear leg titanium billet... so the socket size is bigger on later Rockets.

John Meyers
Sequim, WA USA



-----Original Message-----
From: Jay McIntyre <cjaviator(at)gmail.com (cjaviator(at)gmail.com)>
To: rocket-list <rocket-list(at)matronics.com (rocket-list(at)matronics.com)>
Sent: Tue, Aug 19, 2014 3:07 am
Subject: Rocket II gear collapse


Quote:




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href='wlmailhtml:3D"http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Rocket-List"'>http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Rocket-List
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nrsage86(at)comcast.net
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2014 5:43 am    Post subject: Rocket II gear collapse Reply with quote

Jay,

Just wanted to chime in here. I mounted a two-blade MT propeller (MTV-15-B-C/C203-5Cool on my HR2 (IO-540-C4B5) about a year ago and have had very good results. I shed about 15 pounds from the previous (Hartzell) installation, including a lighter and smaller propeller governor. That also resulted in a CG location a bit further aft (I think most HR2s have a pretty forward CG, no?). Another byproduct was the "aerobatic" prop governor which goes to "course" pitch in the event of an oil pressure loss and reduces the chance of over speeding the engine/prop during aerobatics (hammerheads/inverted flight). I have been seeing about 180 knots true airspeed at 2200 rpm and 22 inches of manifold pressure with just a touch over 12 gallons per hour fuel flow.

Good luck with the rebuild effort. Thanks for keeping the group informed and I will definitely inspect my gear legs for any sign of corrosion.

All the Best
Randy Sage
Peachtree City, Georgia
USA
[quote] ---


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