Tail spring bolts

[chaser]

Flew into several Idaho airstrips, then to McCall for fuel. When I was turning the airplane around, I noticed that the springs rotated about 45 degrees. One of the two bolts holding the spring bracket had departed the airplane. Not sure when it happened, but I assume it was on landing or taxi in. The airplane has about 1560 Hrs. The point of this: CHECK THOSE BOLTS!!! I would suggest that these bolts should be replaced at regular intervals. The cost is very little, could be very cost effective.
I was going to land a Soldier Bar, for some reason I decided not to and continued to McCall for fuel. It would have been a long day at Soldier.
John

 

[fliegenhund]

had the tailspring leaves started to slide apart with the bracket loose?

same thing happened to me 10 days ago. I was heading up to Maine that day and noticed on my pre-flight that the head of one of those bolts had sheared off. Must have happened off-airport the last time I flew, and unknowingly landed and taxied in on one bolt at my home airport. Luckily it was a wheel landing so kept stress on the assembly to a minimum.

Resolved to carry a couple of those bolts in the airplane!

 

[chaser]

The whole spring assembly had rotated on the forward attaching bolt. Bracket was hanging loose on one bolt.
John

 

[Scott Musser]

That's a scary thought. I just walked out in the hangar to look at mine.

If I understand you correctly, one of the small bolts in the bracket that holds the rear of the spring is what broke.

That would not be fun long term...especially out in the boonies. You might be able to nurse it straight and take off to get to greener pastures, but would still be a concern.

I'm going to add a tool bag in the back of my Husky with specific parts and pieces and those bolts are going in the bag.

Perhaps that would be a good project for the FlyHusky group, that is to determine the contents of such a bag.

If you think this is a worthwhile idea, I'll start a sticky thread on it under Maintenance Hangar.

 

[chaser]

I have such a box with tools - safety wire, a few nuts and bolts, just a few end wrenches will cover all the nuts on the husky. A dental pick to clear a fouled plug and of course a plug socket. (for the farmers some bailing wire) You can always tell where a pilot has been bit in the past by the way he pre-flights and the spare parts he carries. Been flying since '52 I have a long list.
Scott, I think it might be a good thread, people can choose what they might need, according to where and how they fly.
John

 

[Scott Musser]

OK John...I'm going to start the thread...I expect you to kick it off.