Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net>
To:  lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:44:16 -0400
Message-ID: <redirect-6311716@logan.com>
Received-SPF: pass
 receiver=logan.com; client-ip=209.85.216.182; envelope-from=pjdmiller@gmail.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Mime-Version: 1.0 (Mac OS X Mail 6.3 \(1503\))
Subject: Andair's explanation
From: Paul Miller <pjdmiller@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <9A81521F5FDC4D40A9DC121CEEDE92C6@acere4a03d2219>
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
References: <395B4801-0A54-4BC0-83DA-7F36E96B086D@slx.ca> <3BF674B1D4EB49079EB5D55620C18F43@acere4a03d2219> <35DB628E-B129-438A-89F4-205DE1DD25D1@slx.ca> <9A81521F5FDC4D40A9DC121CEEDE92C6@acere4a03d2219>

LML: Here is the latest explanation of how Andair deals with the locking =
screws on the gascolator connections. I'd like to toss a challenge to =
the group to find a simple solution to this weak link.  I would be happy =
to replace the Andair unit with a metal body, cartridge style, fuel =
filter with standard fittings similar in strength to the fuel lines.  =
none of the high performance vehicles seem to use the Andair style, they =
use robust, solid, mountable, aluminum bodies with standard fittings.  =
However, I'm certain there are issues for bypass, flow, pressure drop =
and so forth.  If someone has an alternative that has been reviewed =
that's the simplest answer.  The integrity of our fuel lines and =
fittings disappears once we insert this Andair device which is protected =
only by 2 o-rings and 8 small, non-locking screws.

Paul
Legacy

On 2013-06-05, at 10:51 AM, Andair <andair@andair.co.uk> wrote:

> Dear Paul,
>            When we offered the feature of being able to move the =
primary fitting almost 20 years ago now,( remember this only applies to =
EF20,FF20,FF20-A, FF25and EF25 all other fittings are stagged here in =
the factory) it was considered to be very useful for the builder.It was =
then up to the builder or inspector that was signing off that part of =
the build to establish as to whether the screws had been securly fixed =
either loctite or damaged into the vacant half hole.
>         To "stag" the countersunk screw is a recognised proceedure. =
We, at Andair, cannot loctite the screws in as there is no visual =
evidence that the screw is locked in a position  therefore it is damaged =
to show.
>        The problem comes as I see it when no third person carries out =
an inspection and writes it in the log book that it has been checked. On =
the aircraft I have built where it is considered to be a critical =
fuction or area e.g. engine controls, fuel systems, flight controls etc =
there is a section in the log book that is required to be signed. This =
may not be foolproof but it goes some way to offset these types of =
problems.
>              Lastly when the aeroplane has been built flown a while =
and then sold on, inspecting everything can be very teadious.
>            I hope you manage to read this and it be of some help.
>=20
> Kind Regards
>       Andy Phillips
>=20
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Miller" <pjdm@slx.ca>
> To: "Andair" <andair@andair.co.uk>
> Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2013 10:25 AM
> Subject: Re: gascolator failure
>=20
>=20
> I'm looking at a couple of installations here and I can't see any that =
have incorporated the "stagging".   I'll ask the other Legacy owner here =
to check his screws and see if they have backed off at all.   Thanks for =
that update. It would seem a more certain style of lock is preferable.  =
Your banjo fittings on the fuel selector are safety wired.  If the =
countersunk screws had cap screws with drilled heads, they could be =
safety wired in place and would never cause this problem.  Dumping fuel =
into the engine area must not have a risk.   "stagging" does not appear =
to be a common practice or one that works particularly well in this =
case.  Andair might want to consider a safety upgrade on the design.
>=20
> Paul Miller
> On 2013-06-05, at 4:38 AM, "Andair" <andair@andair.co.uk> wrote:
>=20
>> Dear Paul,
>>           When a Gascolator or Fuel Selector is dispatched from the =
factory with female fittings, the fittings are just pushed on the body =
and a screw pack complete with Allen key is supplied in the box.
>> The reason for this is when the builder wants to position say a 90deg =
or 45 deg fitting it never tightens at the correct angle, so in all =
other cases it is overtightened or is too slack. So, in our case the =
fitting can be taken off and arranged at 90deg increments, thereby =
establishing the correct torque on the fitting. Andair suggest that the =
fitting then be "stagged" (the countersunk screw holding the fitting to =
the body be damaged to prevent the screw "backing out" there is a small =
half hole in the fitting for that purpose) If this function cannot be =
carried out then Loctite should be used.
>>        Regards
>>                  Andy Phillips
>>=20
>>=20
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Miller" <pjdm@slx.ca>
>> To: <andair@andair.co.uk>
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 6:03 PM
>> Subject: gascolator failure
>>=20
>>=20
>> we have a failure on this gascolator.  removed for a stuck cup, the =
firewall side was missing three screws and about to fail =
catastrophically. Staining evident under the shroud.   Missing screws do =
not appear to be locked and remaining screws are loose and not locked =
either.  Photos are at :
>>=20
>> =
http://s1284.photobucket.com/user/pjdmiller/library/andair%20gascolator%20=
failure%20Lancair%20Legacy
>>=20
>> Suggest this is a major issue for other aircraft, looking for some =
guidance, probably SDR submission or more.  This is an engine fire =
waiting to happen if other units are in the same condition.
>>=20
>> Paul Miller
>> Florida
>> N357V=3D
>=20