hey everyone was flying my supersportster today never seen anything like it, as i was coming around I heard a loud pop from the plane, did flyby and seen the front of the spinner was off so when i powered uo to get it around to land the engine quit so i rolled it over inverted and pulled back to get it lined back up with the runway to land with the wind deadstick well too much speed and over shot the runway and ripped the gear out of the fuse. that was the only damage done though besides the backplate of the spinner upon inspection the backplate was missing the two plastic pins the hold the prop in the right position along with the to holes where the screws hold the spinner on the backplate where ripped out, sorry such along thread but what ciould have happened the prop nut was still tight thanks for any help in this matter mike

the engine is a 46fx with a 11x6 prop

Unfortunately a common occurrence in the air as well as the pits with plastic spinners. Even with carefull fitting and clearances (seldom actually done) it can happen. Also those who trigger a starter and then jam it into the spinner are inviting this.

For my non scale aircraft I will only use spinnner nuts, mostly the cone shaped type that fit most starter cups so well. To my eye they the look far more workmanlike and are certainly safer. For my Scale stuff of course I use all aluminum types.

One note far more flying time is lost screwing around with ill fitted and poor looking plastic's.


John

sorry for the damage... but these things happen.. i have lost a few props along the way.. you may have tightend the spinner down a touch too tight and cracked the plastic.. i only use them for starting purposes. not for looks.. could care less what they look like as long as i have ease of starting.. practice deadstick landings on the sim if you have one... so next time you will be able to minimize the damages... 98% of my landings are deadstick... mostly due to fuel starvation.

I can attest to that :surprised


They were very pretty deadsticks though.

thanks for the replys and input on this matter it is the first time it has happened to me. went to the hobbyshop got all the ply and balsa, and the owner of the shop said the same thing the use of a electric starter can cause this to happen thanks everyone for the input so i know what to look out for next time

I've always used a starter, and almost all of my planes have had plastic spinners, at least at one time or another.

I've never had a spinner break. Do you get your starter spinning and then jam it against the spinner? Could certainly cause the breakage. Unless you mean an empty tank, then you're running your engine(s) too lean. I don't think one out of 30 of my landings are dead stick.
Dennis-

I also use a DUBRO spinner nut, those plastic spinner are only for the looks, but they are a piece of s...........

i always put the starter on the spinner then start the plane. I have seen guys do that where they start the starter then jam it on the spinner, and alwaysa thought to myself that could not be good. guess i will check into the dubro spinner nut and see how well it works

Great Plains also has them as well, both are around seven to eight bucks. Also some companys make one to look like a Hamilton Standard scale hub. All the manufacturers make them in standard machined aluminum or steel/brass versions for weight and balance purposes. I recommend the cone version because they fit most starter cones better and are very attractive.

John

the dubro spinner nut or great planes looks like the way to go for my supersportster as i love that plane, and felt bad watching it all unfold in front off my eyes due to a 6.00 piece of plastic thanks everyone again mike