REFLECTOR: Leading Edge Prop Damage Advice

[Bob Jackson]

We 'vacuumed' up another screw (looked like a Lycoming valve cover fastener,
when we 'swept' the runway afterward is what did the damage) on takeoff
yesterday and this time damaged the leading edge of our MT prop -- we need
your repair advice:

 



 

The damage is about 3/8" in size, with the two most troubling aspects being
the break in continuity of the leading edge, and 

the obvious separation and bending out of the lower part of the leading edge
strip on the one side.  The damage is about 

8" from  the tip of the blade.

 

    

 

I assume if I were to ask MT, they would say 'scrap that blade and build a
new one from scratch'!  

 

We're just curious what anyone might have to say about their experiences
with this type of damage, and whether or not you guys would recommend trying
to fix it ourselves.  We have a new 4 blade MT prop ordered (to improve our
high altitude cruise performance),  but it won't be here for 6 to 8 weeks,
so if we can safely do it, we'd like to repair this damage and continue
flying it until the new prop arrives.

 

What does everyone think?  We don't think we can re-bridge the missing
metal, but are hoping that by injecting some epoxy and filling the gap with
thickened JB Weld there would continue to be adequate rigidity and strength
in the remaining leading edge stainless material to prevent vibration in
flight and the lose of the outer 8" of this blade -- which obviously would
be bad!

 

Thanks,

Bob Jackson

Custom Turbo XL/RG

N2XF

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