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Thread: landing gear

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Nov 2009
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    england
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    Question landing gear

    hello Kitfoxers
    has any one had,or has heard of, the tube on the suspension(the one that the bungees wrap around) snapping .Unfortunatly for me I had an engine failure (582) at about 100ft after take off.The landing was in a snow covered planted field (soft) and was going well( I thought ) untill the port under carrage colapsed.The aforsaid tube snapped right next to the bungee.There is no sign of rust,and it is a fairly clean break.I would have thought the bungee would have given up first,any comments on this issue would be welcome.

  2. #2
    Super Moderator Av8r3400's Avatar
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    Default Re: landing gear

    What vintage plane is this? Did it break at the weld or did the tube itself break? Was it the angled tube going down to the axle or the cross tube that the bungees are wrapped on?


    (For the record, I'm glad you were able to walk away, unhurt. It could have been much worse...)
    Av8r3400
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  3. #3
    Senior Member t j's Avatar
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    Oct 2009
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    Default Re: landing gear

    Fred, yes there have been a few tube gear failures. Here is a link to a service letter the old Skystar put out on the tube gear.
    http://www.kitfoxaircraft.com/suppor...tters/sl48.htm

    It mentions pictures attached which don't seem to be there. I have an electronic copy of this service letter with the pictures and some drawings attached. I tried to attach those to this post with no luck. If you would like to see them let me know and I will figure out a way to get them to you.

    Glad you didn't get hurt. Kitfoxes are easy to fix. Speaking from experience.

    Tom Jones

  4. #4
    Senior Member t j's Avatar
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    Default Re: landing gear

    Fred, here's a link to the landig gear service letter with the photos and drawing included. http://kitfox.lazair.com/Service_Letters/sl48.htm
    Tom Jones

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Nov 2009
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    england
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    Thumbs up Re: landing gear

    Thanks to t j and Av8r3400 for replys,kind words, and very usefull information.The cross tube on my (Kitfox mk2 1991)broke right next to the bungee as described in service leter,mabe they could be beefed up a little.Fortuneatley there isnt a great deal of damage but it will be hard to trust this old engine again,might have to bite the bullet and get a new one
    thanks again
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