Prop Tape peeled off in flight

[aj_aviator]

My SST prop tape had about 30 hours on it and was about due for replacement. I was flying Tuesday morning on a climbing left bank when I felt the whole airframe shutter and the prop was running out of balance. I cut power to idle and had a non-eventfull emergency landing on the airport property.

One of the SST leading edge tape pieces peeled off the prop blade and cut through the prop cage safety webing on my Buckeye. It pulled about 7 tie strips off and cut a couple of webing strands. I also noticed a couple of holes in the chute where the shrapenel flew thru the bottom surface of the wing. All support lines and control lines passed inspection. I'll be sending the wing in for repairs. Could have been prevented had I changed out the SST when I first noticed them as a pre-flight issue.

[jwards]

Sorry to hear about your mishap. I thought it interesting that your tape was ready for replacement at 30 hours. Do you fly in a place where the prop takes a beating? Was your tape factory installed? If so, what prop are you using?

John

[aj_aviator]

John,

The factory installed prop tape was replaced at 20 hours, I should have replaced the 2nd installation at 20 as well. I fly at an airport and we have a grass/dirt runway. Even the soil here has a lot of rocks in it. I have attached plexiglass gaurds on my prop cage and that has helped some, but I still get a lot of rocks in the prop. The tape has really helped protect the leading edge and without it I would have to order a new prop by now.

I haul my Buckeye in the back of my pickup and install a shorter axle and light duty wheels to fit it into the bed. I am thinking about getting an enclosed trailer for hauling and then getting a pair of fenders for the main gear.

The prop I'm using is a 3 blade IVO and I've been satisfied with its proformance. I feel fortunate to fly out of the airport property here in Longmont Colorado, so I don't want to complain too much about the runway. We recently reworked it and have been planting more grass seed. Hopefully it'll start getting a little better as the grass grows a little thicker, but I keep thinking fenders and trailer...:)

[Munch]

I had the same thing happen to me on my Destiny 2000 with a Rotax 582. I noticed that it took alot more of the field to take off and it took more RPM to maintain flight. At about 900 feet I heart a loud crack and felt alot of vibration in my machine. After checking the chute, lines and my pants I headed for the field to land. I found that one of the prop tapes was missing. I had replaced the tapes about two flight hours earlier and checked them during my pre-flight. I have since removed them and dont fly with prop tape at all now and had not had a problem since.

[aj_aviator]

I hear what you're saying...

Nothing more un-nerving than to have an abrupt unknown event at altitude... that sudden shaking of the airframe and the need to reduce power imeadiately will test any pilots readiness for an engine out.

I have recently purchased a set of wheel pants and when I get some time I'll be installing them. I also picked up some grass seed today, over the next few weeks I'm going to be starting my re-seeding efforts, especially in the launch setup and run-up areas of the runway.

I got some flying in yesterday, the runway was a little muddy and there was quite a bit of snow on it. After my snow covered runway take-off technique, I made a few low passes but did'nt want to do anymore landings than I needed to, so I kept the tough-n-go's to just go's.... I had a nice 20 mile round trip flight checking out the snow covered pasture land and frozen lakes. I also enjoyed viewing the snow covered mountains just to my west. I had 10mph winds, but they were steady for the most part. Even with all the snow and mud, I managed to get a great winter flight in, and did'nt get my wing or airframe too muddy. However, my prop tape did get a few more knicks in it. I took quite a few photos, but have'nt had a chance to get them on the computer yet. Maybe I'll post them later this week.

I'm looking forward to the wheel pants and hoping they will help me preserve and protect my prop and tape. I do not want to experience one of the those prop-tape flinging events again...

Also worth noting, when I installed my prop tape last time, I touched up the very edges of the tape with a small amount of super glue to keep the edge laying on the prop. It's my best installation so far.

[Munch]

First Wow on flying in the cold weather..I wish I had the nerve to go up but it has just been to dam cold here...and my Destiny came with a set of custom ski's that the guy made for winter flying. Not me..I like it warm..anyway

I tried the superglue on the edge thing and I guess I did not do it right. I spoke to guy out in West that told me that he never uses prop tape anymore for the same reason that I dont. He had them come off. I am sure that the area that you take off and land determine the need so i guess I am lucky. Both areas I fly from had a good bed of grass that is cut often and kept low. The one thing he told me is that a prop can easily be filled and sanded with fiberglass filler..I have also seen a few other suggestions here to repair a prop. Good luck with the seeding and the tape...For now I will keep the tape off and my pants un-soiled!

P.S. I am sure that part of the problem with my prop tape was the initial installion..so a degree of operator error.

[FrontierFlyer]

Ivo himself recommended removing the tape...Its only good the first few hours, then when it starts to peel, it starts to significantly reduce your prop thrust. I have not flown with any for almost 100 hours now. BIG differance felt!!
As for prop dings... I have been using the baking soda, super glue with great results. I just put a little powder in the nick, and small drop of glue on top of that. Hardens immediately and then you just sand it down and paint over if you like. Works great!