danal
New Member
Posts: 44
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Post by danal on Jan 31, 2020 20:25:18 GMT
Yikes! But... the canopy did not crack!!!
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Post by Glenn on Jan 31, 2020 21:09:31 GMT
Yikes! But... the canopy did not crack!!! EXACTLY what I am thinking! With all the cracks being reported and with at least some of the cause being blamed on fuselage flex, why didn't this windshield crack after the "hard landing?" So good news and bad news. The good news: The windshield did not crack.  The bad news: the plane will never fly again.  |
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danal
New Member
Posts: 44
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Post by danal on Mar 6, 2020 17:43:17 GMT
Status update on my crack. Right side of the sliding part.
I have been very slow on replacing mine. (I'm and LSRM and I'm doing the work). I Have the old one out, the new one trimmed and fitted but needs some edge cleanup. Just received a 1/2x18 inch belt sander to do that cleanup.
Hoping to have it all back together in about two weeks.
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Post by montanapilot on Mar 7, 2020 17:05:31 GMT
Danal - As you know, I'm tracking this cracking issue. It sounds like what you're dealing with is a canopy crack since you're talking about the sliding part, but I also show that you had a cracked windshield. Could you confirm that for me? Thanks.
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danal
New Member
Posts: 44
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Post by danal on Mar 15, 2020 13:04:16 GMT
Danal - As you know, I'm tracking this cracking issue. It sounds like what you're dealing with is a canopy crack since you're talking about the sliding part, but I also show that you had a cracked windshield. Could you confirm that for me? Thanks. Both cracks were in the sliding part. The first crack, the one repaired in the Cirrus shop in Mankato, MN, was in a "one piece" (of Plexiglas) slider. N837TA came from the factory with that one piece arrangement. That was field converted to a "two piece" of Plexiglas arrangement. This involves installing a fiberglass separator that runs down the center of the frame of the sliding part, and then installing two separate pieces of Plexi. The aircraft had operated for about four years in that one piece configuration prior to cracking. The crack from a month or two back was in the Starboard section of the two piece. The aircraft had operated for about 10 months when this crack occurred. I have never had the portion of the canopy that is fixed, in front, the part a bird would hit, I have never had that crack, or any other problem. |
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Post by montanapilot on Mar 15, 2020 14:37:51 GMT
Thanks for that, Danal. I'm now showing 4 airplanes that have experienced windshield cracks.
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DavidOber
Junior Member
Posts: 67
Home Airport: KTKI
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Post by DavidOber on Mar 7, 2021 15:46:59 GMT
Add me to the list:
2014 P2008 #086
I will get some pictures soon...just trying to figure out how to stop it from spreading.
David Ober
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Post by Glenn on Mar 7, 2021 17:09:50 GMT
Add me to the list: 2014 P2008 #086 I will get some pictures soon...just trying to figure out how to stop it from spreading. David Ober David, That's terrible news. Sorry to hear that. Please post some pictures of the crack. As you probably know, a common practice to stop cracks from spreading in windows and windshields (in unpressurized planes) is to stop drill at the end of the crack. Some have even applied a small amount of epoxy. I'm sure there's plenty of qualified A&Ps around TKI. If it was me and depending of location and severity, I'd probably stop drill it and fly it some more. I sure hope someone finds the cause and then a solution...and soon. |
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Post by cole505 on Mar 7, 2021 17:16:54 GMT
Hi David,
The only way you can stop the crack is to stop drill it at the beginning and end of the crack and then use a small amount of silicone sealant to fill the holes make sure to use the tiniest drill bit you can...... Very sorry to hear this! My previous 2012 P-2008 cracked after three windshield replacements. Tecnam wants $1800.00 for a replacement windshield plus your going to need special sealant and primer. I still have the tech data on how to do it... and the worst part it’s about a 40 hour job and I am being very conservative with that time.
Let me know if I can provide any other info for you. Wells Aviation near Mankato has done ✅ a few of them, they would be your best bet for a good shop to do the work. Do the math and this is not a cheap repair ... Please feel free to call me 702-232-0904 I anytime I would be happy to answer all your questions......
Ray & Lucy ☀️🌟👍🏻✈️🇺🇸✅
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Post by Glenn on Mar 7, 2021 17:26:50 GMT
Cole505,
From your posted pictures of cracks, I assumed your crack went all the way to the edge but from your advice on stop drilling, that must not be true.
That's even more puzzling to me.
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Post by cole505 on Mar 7, 2021 17:30:05 GMT
 I lost count after 7 cracks and the one Big one at 10500 really scared me I had 100 mph air coming in and thought the whole thing might come apart! Ray & Lucy |
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Post by Glenn on Mar 7, 2021 17:40:09 GMT
Yes I can see that would be scary.
Concerning the width of the crack, did the air gap close after landing?
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Post by cole505 on Mar 7, 2021 17:46:38 GMT
Hi Glenn,
It stayed the same..... very unnerving to say the least .....
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DavidOber
Junior Member
Posts: 67
Home Airport: KTKI
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Post by DavidOber on Mar 8, 2021 16:41:05 GMT
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Post by Glenn on Mar 8, 2021 17:51:27 GMT
My uneducated guess is that it is a stress crack. Airplanes flex with use and nothing can eliminate that.
In spite of Tecnam's accusations of abuse, I think we're dealing with windshields that are just too darn thin.
I'm no engineer but IMO, we need thicker windshields. BWTHDIK
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The bad news: the plane will never fly again. 
