I just returned from the Reno Air Races and wanted to share what the owners/operators of the Relentless NXT shared at their hangar via display of the components.

The AN oil line fitting where the line attaches to the engine broke at the threads (photo 1),
The loss of oil pressure caused a runaway prop which departed the plane in-flight (photo 2),
The counterweights came-apart due likely to the engine overspeed (photo 3).

This seems an appropriate location for use of steel fittings.

mountainmatt n- thanks for the info on how to post photos!

There's no photo's in that gallery Never mind, you got it figured out. Dang, that's F ed up!!

There's no photo's in that gallery

Looks like I screwed that up, too.

Hey Zane - how about some help on this... How in the hell do we post photos?
Or just point me to the diretions.

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=28

???

I think I remember an AD on the Lyc O360 w C/S props to be converted from al fitting to steel at the nose case.

I came across this link: http://www.kevineldredge.com/Network_So ... g.....html
that has some photos and the Pilots amazing story of losing the prop 414 MPH. He must have 9 lives and just used one up.

I grew up around ex and current Reno racers. One thing no one ( Pilots, Mechanics ) talk about is the RPM they run to make the power. I remember that the Hartzel guys at the booth wanting them to keep the RPM numbers in check because if a prop explodes it will look like a prop failure not a overstress.

Thanks to mountainmatt, photos are now included...

This happened right in front of our pit. A sound I wont soon forget, we saw the prop hit the ground, followed by some other pieces. That hub extension is a little thin fluted hub. Its a wonder it held up before the gov failure.

Actually, it's pretty amazing ANY of those engines hold up to the sustained high power settings that are drug out of them at Reno. I hardly think this represents a "design flaw".

MTV

Here's the video my buddy took.

dang that is crazy to watch it just explode and the ensuing landing

Skydive206 wrote:I grew up around ex and current Reno racers. One thing no one ( Pilots, Mechanics ) talk about is the RPM they run to make the power. I remember that the Hartzel guys at the booth wanting them to keep the RPM numbers in check because if a prop explodes it will look like a prop failure not a overstress.

I'm sure its quite different but I was talking to a formula 1 pilot and he was telling about his plane and engine. It was a built O-200 in a C-85 case. Idled at 2500 rpm and they ran her around 5000 RPM burning 18 gph

The sound of the engine revving after the prop came off was incredible.