REFLECTOR: Leading Edge Prop Damage Advice

[Glenn Babcock]

FWIW, I had similar damage to my MT (the oil filler door detached and went
through the prop) and MT in Florida repaired it.  You can't tell the damaged
blade from the others now.

 

Propellers operate under tremendous forces.  I was not comfortable
attempting to repair it myself.  I also wanted the leading edge strip
replaced.  I called MT, they gave me the name of a local shop, we pulled the
prop and took it to them, they pulled the blade, shipped it to Florida, then
when it was returned they painted and mounted it, balanced the prop, and we
picked it up.  I don't recall exactly how much it cost, but it was under
$1000.

 

My advice:  I would have MT repair it.

 

Regards,
Glenn

N697RG, Elite RG, flying

From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
Behalf Of Bob Jackson
Sent: Sunday, June 19, 2011 7:40 PM
To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
Cc: Bob & Ann Jackson
Subject: REFLECTOR: Leading Edge Prop Damage Advice

 

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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