jmtgt wrote:Lance,

Why do you think they are having so many problems with their props?

From what people are saying, there isn't really anything wrong with the props. As Lance said, a couple of hub cracks awhile back and now it seems like Hartzell is cashing in. The other side is as we are an attorney driven society, it could be the suits are telling Hartzell to encourage an AD and get 'em out of service. (a hub failure and blade shed could get ugly real fast) Two things for sure, we'll pay for it and we'll never really get the straight story...

Mark

Yeah, I posted this same information on another thread here, related to Cessna 170s. I got caught as well.

There have been VERY few failures. Hartzell is somewhat infamous for using AD's to retire older props, at least in part, I'm sure to reduce their liability.

As far as the eddy current inspection, forget it. First, you have to remove the prop from your airplane. Whoever designed this thing should have to serve time in purgatory removing and replacing these props. It REALLY sucks, and it takes a while. Shop rate.

Now, you have to ship the prop in to a shop with the requisite equipment. Shipping costs, plus ya gotta have a box for the thing. More $$

The prop shop has to DISSASSEMBLE your prop to do the test. THen they have to reassemble it. My guess is they're going to require the blade butt test to accomplish this. That's an overhaul, every 100 hours.

Big bucks, and MAJOR hassles, not to mention down time.

If I were you, I'd whine and snivel as much as possible to convince them to trade you to the 80 inch prop--it really is a MUCH better prop for these aircraft. But, when you do this--make absolutley certain that you have the CORRECT SPINNER AND BACKING PLATE for the stc. Avcon conversions don't. In that case, you are going to want the WHOLE kit for the long prop--prop, harmonic damper, spinner and backing plate.

MTV

I went through this very same thing on my Stinson several years ago, nearly identicle AD from what you are saying. I chose to go with the new prop option but watch out for the small print. Hartzell said that it cam complete with everything from the engine forward but when I got it there was no hydro package, no backing plate, no spinner, on and on. In the end it would cost nearly another $5000.00 to get a "complete" prop.

If I had had and option I would have looked long and hard at another brand of prop.

I had the C/S Hartzell from my M5 rebuilt at Northwest Propellor about 9 months ago and I was told my prop was probably included in the AD. I read the AD and I didn't see where my prop/engine configuration were included...and as it turned out it was not. But they were informing me of my rights to; have it eddy current tested every 100 hours (and they can do it on the aircraft) or purchase a new one at a discount, etc. I was weighing the options of those choices or finding a used prop or a new three blade, which were all expensive. I was glad to hear it could be rebuilt w/o restrictions from the AD.

Does anyone know of a link to the AD?

Joe in MT.

Thanks for the link JrCubBuilder.

Joe in MT

Yes, the Hartzell prop on the Husky uses this hub. It is an HC2Y hub, commonly used on a LOT of little go fast homebuilts as well. Who knows if they'll be able to meet the demand when this thing kicks in.

MTV

My mooney is affected by this AD and when I phoned Hartzell for the "practises manuals" they proceded to tell me that I could buy the 13 page manual, but they would not fax me it.(I found an ndt outfit that will do the inspection for about 75.00CDN on the A/C.) and then proceeded to tell me that the propellors that are affected by this AD are at least ten years old and that I should just buy their new alternative!!! Ha I told the SOB that he could poke the new fangled replacement where it doesn't matter if it is airworthy and that I from this point on would rather push a Mccaully than drive a hartzell.

I have been informed by Hartzell that the eddy current inspection can be conducted with the prop ON the airplane. Of course, you'll have to get to a facility with the proper equipment, and fly there, remove the spinner, wait for the inspection, reassemble, and fly home.

Still sucks.

MTV

I know that Northwest Propellors in Puyallup WA, Thun Field, can do the eddy current inspection "on" the aircraft.