Mod 46 has been raised because two instances have been found of failure of
the end caps fitted into the pitch torque tube. The Mod has nothing to do
with the bearings to which this torque tube is fitted.
I was one of the pilots who experienced failure of the end cap, and the
experience was not remotely like an April Fool! (ref: Carl Pattinson)
There has never been an aircraft design yet that has not needed Mods as the
years go by, and builders should realise that the action we are taking is
in the interest of safety.
We obviously regret that the part failed (a fatigue failure), and the two
aircraft involved were not operated to a typical cruising cycle; one had
done a lot of aerobatics and the other was our demonstrator which has
suffered all sorts of abuse! Nevertheless the resulting investigation
showed that there was a potential problem in the longer term, and a Mod was
necessary.
We are making up the Mod kits as fast as we can, and sending them out
initially to people who are already flying, as near as possible in the
order in which fuselage kits were originally delivered.
The earliest version of the Mod instruction leaflet included a requirement
to cut two small holes in the fuselage bottom, but this has now been found
not to be necessary, and all builders who received the first Mod kits have
been sent an updated Mod instruction detailing the revised method.
Indications from builders who have carried out the Mod are that it takes
about a day to accomplish.
Please be patient, we will send the Mod kits to everyone as soon as possible.
Regards,
Roger Bull
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