I found a new way to crash
05-01-2010, 02:16 PM
#1
I found a new way to crash
Well, actually I got lucky and landed safely. But this is a failure that I would not have expected. I have dual aileron servos on a 40 sized Burrito profile. I thought it was behaving 'different' in flight. Upon landing I saw that one aileron was not responding. The aileron control rod had broken into two pieces. The fracture occurred at the 2-56 threaded end near where the clevis screws on.
I felt all the linkages preflight for slop and security - this is part of my usual preflight procedure. Did not feel anything unusual.
I felt all the linkages preflight for slop and security - this is part of my usual preflight procedure. Did not feel anything unusual.
05-01-2010, 04:28 PM
#2
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RE: I found a new way to crash
Hi JPMacG
That type of break is unusual. For many years most control rods have had the thread rolled on rather than cut with a die. Rolling tends to make the threads stronger. The body of the rod is smaller in diameter and that is how I determine that the threads are rolled.
That type of break is unusual. For many years most control rods have had the thread rolled on rather than cut with a die. Rolling tends to make the threads stronger. The body of the rod is smaller in diameter and that is how I determine that the threads are rolled.
05-01-2010, 10:08 PM
#3
RE: I found a new way to crash
The O.D. of the threads on the broken rod is larger than the diameter of the non-threaded length. So I guess this one was rolled. The groves of the threads are no doubt areas of stress concentration, so it makes sense that it would break where it did.
I just replaced both aileron control rods with new. Next time I get to the LHS I'll get rods for the elevator and rudder and replace them as well. Everything wears out.... eventually.
Thanks
I just replaced both aileron control rods with new. Next time I get to the LHS I'll get rods for the elevator and rudder and replace them as well. Everything wears out.... eventually.
Thanks
