Engine ( A-65) Propstrike and rebuild on cheap???

Folks - I had another propstrike on my engine.

Last time, my A&P sent it to an engine shop rather than doing the work
himself.

Experience has show that even if all the shop does is open and inspect,
it will cost me $3500. I need to try and get that cost down.

Of course, all this will have to be worked out with the shop.

Question: Why did my A&P send the engine out? I understand it might
have been a workload problem, but arn't A&Ps allowed to inspect an
engine after a propstrike?

Question: How much work is a shop or mechanic likely to allow me to do
under his indirect supervision? Can I do something in front of him,
drag the engine home until I reach another milestone then perform that
in front of him?

Regards, Mike

On 22 Jul 2005 07:12:05 -0700, wrote:

Folks - I had another propstrike on my engine.

Last time, my A&P sent it to an engine shop rather than doing the work
himself.

Experience has show that even if all the shop does is open and inspect,
it will cost me $3500. I need to try and get that cost down.

Of course, all this will have to be worked out with the shop.

Question: Why did my A&P send the engine out? I understand it might
have been a workload problem, but arn't A&Ps allowed to inspect an
engine after a propstrike?

Question: How much work is a shop or mechanic likely to allow me to do
under his indirect supervision? Can I do something in front of him,
drag the engine home until I reach another milestone then perform that
in front of him?

Regards, Mike

you have a certified aeroplane, no? then it must be maintained and
certified by licenced personel.
dont confuse the freedoms of experimental aircraft ownership with the
legal responsibilities that come with certified aircraft.

as to the cost, a shonky job could cost you your life. paying for a
skilled person to fix the problem could end up being the cheapest
option.
(of course the cheapest option is to not keep on dinging the prop :-)
) if you were to do the job yourself do you know what needs to be
done?

the definitive answers to your questions above can only come from the
guy who will sign out the work, go and have a talk with him and
discuss your difficulty.

Stealth Pilot

What did you hit?

BJ

wrote:

Folks - I had another propstrike on my engine.

Last time, my A&P sent it to an engine shop rather than doing the work
himself.

Experience has show that even if all the shop does is open and inspect,
it will cost me $3500. I need to try and get that cost down.

Of course, all this will have to be worked out with the shop.

Question: Why did my A&P send the engine out? I understand it might
have been a workload problem, but arn't A&Ps allowed to inspect an
engine after a propstrike?

Question: How much work is a shop or mechanic likely to allow me to do
under his indirect supervision? Can I do something in front of him,
drag the engine home until I reach another milestone then perform that
in front of him?

Regards, Mike

I'm just curious, if the cost of the engine repairs are running you
into the $$$thousands$$
what does a course in engine repair cost and the cost of becoming an
A&P?
Lou

wrote:

Folks - I had another propstrike on my engine.

Last time, my A&P sent it to an engine shop rather than doing the work
himself.

Experience has show that even if all the shop does is open and inspect,
it will cost me $3500. I need to try and get that cost down.

Of course, all this will have to be worked out with the shop.

Question: Why did my A&P send the engine out? I understand it might
have been a workload problem, but arn't A&Ps allowed to inspect an
engine after a propstrike?

Question: How much work is a shop or mechanic likely to allow me to do
under his indirect supervision? Can I do something in front of him,
drag the engine home until I reach another milestone then perform that
in front of him?

Question: How are you having so many prop strikes?


Matt

Thanks, like I said I was curious.
Lou

I'm not sure that is quite true. Anybody can do the work as long as an
IA signs it off in the logbook. The reason the mechanic sent it out is
probably to have the parts magnafluxed to check for tiny cracks. Not
many small shops are equipped for this...

Scott

Stealth Pilot wrote:




you have a certified aeroplane, no? then it must be maintained and
certified by licenced personel.
dont confuse the freedoms of experimental aircraft ownership with the
legal responsibilities that come with certified aircraft.

Scott - that makes sense, however even the local 'engine shop' (well
respected) sends the crank out for magnafluxing and for
zyco(something). like you say however, there are still specialized
tools my A&P would probably have to have.

- Mike

Scott wrote:

I'm not sure that is quite true. Anybody can do the work as long as an
IA signs it off in the logbook. The reason the mechanic sent it out is
probably to have the parts magnafluxed to check for tiny cracks. Not
many small shops are equipped for this...

Scott

Stealth Pilot wrote:




you have a certified aeroplane, no? then it must be maintained and
certified by licenced personel.
dont confuse the freedoms of experimental aircraft ownership with the
legal responsibilities that come with certified aircraft.

Scott wrote:
I'm not sure that is quite true. Anybody can do the work as long as an
IA signs it off in the logbook.


Any Powerplant rated mechanic can do any inspection or repair to any
aircraft engine and return it to service within the limititations of FAR
part 65 and 43 which I've posted below. The only "major" repairs
requiring IA approval are structural repairs to the engine, or involve
engines with internal geared superchargers or planetary reduction gears.

Furthermore, YOU can disassemble, inspect and reassemble the engine
yourself as long as a certified Powerplant mechanic "directly"
supervises you and signs off the work in the logbook. You can also
legally "inspect" the engine by doing a runout of the prop flange, or
you can legally blow it off altogether.

This is the relevant service bulletin for a prop strike. It is a
"mandatory" service bulletin, however it is not mandated by the FAA thru
an AD the way the Lycoming prop strike service bulletin is. Aircraft
are only required by the FAA to comply with all service bulletins if
operated to FAR part 135.

http://www.tcmlink.com/pdf2/SB96-11.pdf

This response is based on the references I have included and cited
herin. Please correct me if I am wrong on any of this information, but
only if you can cite references the way I have.

On 4/24/2001, a Cessna 210 with a Continental IO 520 suffered a broken
crankshaft. Everybody died. The aircraft had suffered a prop strike
four years before, and while the propeller was overhauled, no SB-95-11
inspection was performed on the engine, no runout of the prop flange was
recorded, no laws were broken, no mechanics were fired. It's entirely
up to the owner/operator whether the inspection is performed.


From FAR Part 65, section 65.87:

Sec. 65.87

Powerplant rating; additional privileges.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a certificated
mechanic with a powerplant rating may approve and return to service a
powerplant or propeller or any related part or appliance, after he has
performed, supervised, or inspected its maintenance or alteration
(excluding major repairs and major alterations). In addition, he may
perform the 100-hour inspection required by part 91 of this chapter on a
powerplant or propeller, or any part thereof, and approve and return it
to service.
[(b) A certificated mechanic with a powerplant rating can approve and
return to service a powerplant or propeller, or any related part or
appliance, of an aircraft with a special airworthiness certificate in
the light-sport category after performing and inspecting a major repair
or major alteration for products that are not produced under an FAA
approval, provided the work was performed in accordance with
instructions developed by the manufacturer or a person acceptable to the
FAA. ]


From FAR Part 43 Appendix A:
(2) Powerplant major repairs. Repairs of the following parts of an
engine and repairs of the following types, are powerplant major repairs:
(i) Separation or disassembly of a crankcase or crankshaft of a
reciprocating engine equipped with an integral supercharger.
(ii) Separation or disassembly of a crankcase or crankshaft of a
reciprocating engine equipped with other than spur-type propeller
reduction gearing.
(iii) Special repairs to structural engine parts by welding, plating,
metalizing, or other methods.

Scott wrote:
I'm not sure that is quite true. Anybody can do the work as long as an
IA signs it off in the logbook. The reason the mechanic sent it out is
probably to have the parts magnafluxed to check for tiny cracks. Not
many small shops are equipped for this...

Scott

Stealth Pilot wrote:




you have a certified aeroplane, no? then it must be maintained and
certified by licenced personel.
dont confuse the freedoms of experimental aircraft ownership with the
legal responsibilities that come with certified aircraft.



--
John Kimmel


"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President,
or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is
not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."

Theodore Roosevelt

"Michael Horowitz" wrote in message
...
Scott - that makes sense, however even the local 'engine shop' (well
respected) sends the crank out for magnafluxing and for
zyco(something). like you say however, there are still specialized
tools my A&P would probably have to have.

- Mike



Zyglo may show cracks in aluminum, which is what it's for, while magnaflux
is for steel. Sometimes it takes another process like ultrasound or x-ray
to show something.

Send your engine to a good rebuild shop like Triad in Burlington, NC.
There are too many pitfalls trying to do it yourself or having a local do it
who's not tooled up. Even breaking an engine in improperly can ruin your
cylinders, whereas a reputable shop will break it in for you in a test cell.
If a car or motorcycle engine fails you just walk away. If an aircraft
engine fails ...