by Mike Busch | May 1, 2013 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
The best way to protect against the in-flight failure of any aircraft component is to have two. Or is it? CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONSPART 13—AIRCRAFT ENGINE AIRWORTHINESSSubpart B—Reciprocating Engines§ 13.111 Ignition system. All spark ignition...
by Mike Busch | Apr 1, 2013 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
Even a seemingly trivial mistake by a well-intentioned mechanic can have dire consequences. On April 19, 2005, a 1966 Beechcraft Debonair was cruising at 8,500’ on a VFR flight from Van Nuys to San Jose, Calif., when the pilot heard a loud noise and the Continental...
by Mike Busch | Mar 1, 2013 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
Troubleshooting is best accomplished by first gathering data and then analyzing it logically. The owner of a 2005 Cessna T182 was in Key West Florida when he experienced unusual roughness immediately after engine start. The EGT and CHT on the #3 cylinder seemed...
by Mike Busch | Feb 1, 2013 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
Can we prevent these catastrophic head-to-barrel separations? On February 24, 2012, the National Transportation Safety Board issued Safety Recommendation A-12-7 to FAA acting administrator Michael Huerta, expressing great concern over 29 cylinder head fatigue failures...
by Mike Busch | Jan 1, 2013 | EAA Sport Aviation Magazine, Magazine Articles
There’s metal in your oil filter. Now what? “I’ve been a happy aircraft owner until this morning,” Frank wrote me. “My aircraft is in the shop for its annual inspection, and the mechanic just called to say that they found magnetic chips in the oil filter, and the...
