The NTSB accident reports often contain these sorts of errors. I have, after having been a close observer to several serious accidents, then having read the accident reports, wondered which accident the NTSB was actually reporting on.

Those Cessna installed nutplates are what have been known to fail. Trust those at your own peril. I suspect one day, Cessna will offer some sort of AD to deal with such failures.

Note the seat track and latching Service Bulletin that Cessna has now offered to fix, after all these years. Not bashing Cessna, just pointing out that not everything is perfect the first time.

MTV

mtv wrote:.........
Those Cessna installed nutplates are what have been known to fail. ....
MTV

They are above and/or inside the spar carry-through. In what manner do they fail? Do the threads strip out? The bolt would seem to be (mainly) loaded in shear, not in tension. Or do the smallish (1/4") bolts shear?
Other than strip-out, even if the rivets fail, I don't see how a nutplate "fails". Even if it comes loose, it would still be acting as a nut in that case (a loose nut if you will) up inside the carry-through, unless the nutplate itself comes apart.
I wouldn't trust any smaller than 1/4" (#4) bolts on shoulder harnesses in any event. Or any rivnut installation for an attach point.

Eric

Eric,

My understanding is the whole shooting match simply pulls through the metal of the carry through. That is why BAS goes through to the REAR of the carry through, and reinforces the rear. As I noted earlier, you basically have to rip the whole spar carry through out to cause a BAS anchoring system to fail.

MTV

Last summer a friend of mine went into a short strip near hear in a 182A a bit to fast. Also a problem was that there was still some morning dew on the grass. Could not get it stoped in time so the trees at the end of the strip helped him with his breaking. No injuries acept his lady will never fly with him again. She may have reconsidered by now.

I gave him a call the other day to see what sort of belts or harnesses he had and to get a recommendation. He said that he had the BAS in both front seats and he said that he would not have a plane without them.

After weighing all things with cost as a major factor, and considering that I am sure that both houses of congress and Pres Bush would support me in me spending my stimulus check on an American made product, I am ordering the Bas harnesses tonight.

As a side bar, this fore mentioned strip is not on the chart and my buddies insurance, after scutinizing all logs, paid in full.

Tim

Tim,

Sorry to hear about your friend's misfortune. I think you've made a very good decision.

Now, try not to crash... and you won't actually need them....

MTV

I intend to make this purchase a complete waste of money.

Tim

qmdv wrote:I intend to make this purchase a complete waste of money

Tim, that's very profound. BAS should put your quote in the testimonials merely as an inspiring philosophy.

I put a set of the BAS harnesses in our 180 this spring, and I love them. You don't even notice them, and they are easier to get into than the old lap belts--no looking on the floor for the belts.

You made the right choice--enjoy them

and for the record, just got out of the annual and the Bass hrnesses were intalled at that time. I havn't even flown with them yet.

Maybe tomarrow I will give them a test. Well not a real test, remember these are supposed to be waste of money.

Tim

Hey Tim, did you put on the new nose fork, too? Any new pics of your Skylane?

Tim, You will like the BAS harnesses. I had them in the buzzard (a 180hp 172 tailwheel) when I ground looped it. Had the right gear leg collapse and ended up spinning to the right in the grass/gravel off the side of the runway and a prop strike. The bird ended up being totalled by the insurance company but I literally did not have so much as a scratch or a bruise. The harness did it's job and quickly. The reel is designed to lock up in 3/4" of movement!!! Impressed me enough that I swore I would not own a plane without them in it. I bought a 182 and the harnesses were installed when the prepurchase inspection became a fresh annual. Haven't looked back and haven't been sorry. You will forget you have a harness on. They are that comfortable. I also use the utility buckle....just put the lever and roll out of the plane, everything will come apart at the buckle just fine. Just install the buckle so that you pull toward the door with your hand to open it. When I'm not flying the harness ends are attached to the velcro on the headliner. On the copilot side, if I'm alone the harness ends are buckled into the belt on that side so they don't flop around. Works real good.

pat