Guess who has an Arrow that failed the eddy current inspection???

Harley Kleemann

Yeah, me...I wish I would have bought a Cessna!

Scott Sherer

I'm sorry to hear that. So what's next?

Harley Kleemann

I hope the hangar it's in burns to the ground!

Harley Kleemann

Four to five months lead time to get the wing rebuilt...I can kiss going to Airventure goodbye...Wing has to be removed, shipped to Airframe Components in Indiana, and then repaired.

Like I said, I really wish now I had bought a Cessna...

jimcurns

Wow, that's awful. But when it's finished it will be exceptional.

kjonolson

Should have left it in the WWII Hanger a couple days longer. My Archer passed the test today, I was the "other" one at the AeroCenter.....

Johnjetman

Harley, how many hours do you have on the aircraft?
Sorry to hear you have to do this. I’ve been up to Airframe Components and saw there facility. They do some amazing work up there. They also have a paint shop that they use that does nice work.

Harley Kleemann

My aircraft has just a bit over 2500 TT...

kjonolson

What was your factored service hours?

Harley Kleemann

Less than 800...

Scott Sherer

Harley, I know that this is an intensely emotional thing you're dealing with and you have all of our empathy. Collectively we are all sorry. We are also all concerned too and we're wondering how you could have this problem on an Arrow with only 2,500TT and less than 800FSH. I, at least, don't understand how this could happen. Do you have any idea?

Johnjetman

I was wondering if damage could have been caused when removing the bolts.

roevadas

Harley, I second Scott's comments...I now have another worry wrinkle.

Harley Kleemann

The mechanic doing the work said the bolts came out fairly easily without having to drive them out with a hammer and punch. I'm going to go down later today and have a look myself. An A&P friend of mine in California suggested I take a .38 caliber bronze bristle brush, such as used for cleaning the bore of a rifle, use a little spray brake cleaner on the brush, and brush out the holes, and then have the eddy current guys come back and do another test of those holes.

I will post the results of that later today...

Scott Sherer

OK Harley. Fingers crossed, good luck.

Harley Kleemann

Well, here's the scoop...my spar passed when it was retested!!! Before I brushed the holes, I used a powerful flashlight and looked up in the bolt holes, and saw two miniscule little strands of something sticking out over the top of one of the holes. So, I sprayed the brush and gave each hole about 5-6 strokes. When I looked in the holes again, they were nice and shiny bright, and the two little strands were gone. The testing guys arrived just as I was finishing, so they got their equipment out and calibrated it. One crawled under the wing with his wand and started testing. There were six of us peering at the display, along with the guy under the wing. He repeated the test three times, and we saw NO spikes on the display! He crawled out from under the wing and looked at me and said, "I don't know how it's different, but you have no crack in that spar." I gave the testers the bronze brush and told them if they ever have another one that fails, try the brush trick. I am SO relieved!!! I think I'll celebrate with an adult beverage!!!

kjonolson

Great News, Harley!

asikora1

Wow Harley. That is amazing. and goes to prove this process is not fool proof. Praying for everyone else getting the test! And very happy for you.

Scott Sherer

Good news, Harley. I'm very pleased for you. Now aren't you glad you got a Piper? lol

Johnjetman

Great to hear Harley! Makes you wonder if there should be a procedure to clean the holes first.

arrow76r

Kind of makes you wonder about the whole process, doesn't it?

alschm

I love your attitude of not giving up when facing adversity. Makes one wonder how many others have been “failed” inadvertently.

griff390

Harley; I'm just catching up now, and read this entire thread top to bottom. Broke my heart to hear your spar test failed, (and like others couldn't believe it happened on such a low time airframe), but then I was relieved to read you reworked it and passed!

Having firearm cleaning brushes saved the day. Good thing we all have more than one hobby.

The emotional roller-coaster ride you were put through is *why* we drink. Speaking of that, I'm going to celebrate for you tonight!

Harley Kleemann

Thank you all for your positive words and encouragement. I have to admit, Monday evening, I was ready to just break down and cry. I could not believe my "baby" was broken. After the 2nd successful test, I felt like a giant weight slid off my shoulders! Laphroaig single-malt Scotch whisky helped me to celebrate!

Scott Sherer

Good work Harley. We'll all hoist a drink in your honor tonight. A little Makers Mark for me lol.

Harley Kleemann

Makers Mark is some very fine bourbon! Salut!!!

MikeJJ

Hallelujah👍👍👍
The pre-brush procedure should be part of the AD! Awesome.

roevadas

Congratulations Harley, I too will hoist a toast, I'm out of Laphroaig but will revert to Aultmore.

greygoose

Congrats Harley. When I started reading this thread, my heart skipped a beat. Happy ending though. Happy for you.

Scott Sherer

This could happen to any one of us. Let us all be diligent in our maintenance practices and oversight.

Ray McNaught

I'm a firm believer that drinking in celebration is far better than drinking to drown your sorrows!
I was not feeling bad today but this good news made me feel better!
Congratulations!!!