Wills Wing has a issued a recall on many glider models (Falcons, XCs, Ultra Sports, Eagles, Condors, U2s, Sport2s), specifically the connection hardware at the crossbar juncture. This does not affect topless gliders, just those with the common "ball and socket" joint.
You will need to contact your dealer who should assist/supervise/perform in the proper installation of the replacement hardware. You can get further information from http://www.willswing.com/Tech_Bulletins ... 050621.pdf
I am not aware of any failures nor are any mentioned.
marc
Wills Wing Cross Bar connection Recall
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
-
Flying Lobster
- Posts: 1042
- Joined: Fri Feb 25, 2005 4:17 pm
Wills Wing Cross Bar connection Recall
Great Googly-moo!
Umm...okay...seeing as how this seems like a potentially catastrophic possibility (crossbar halves coming separated in flight)...isn't this something that we should all jump on ASAP? (Like, before flying again?) Or is this one of those "wait 'til winter and we're done flying and then fix it" items?
And how does this work? Is this a sudden windfall opportunity for someone like Steve Wendt? Meaning, does he get paid for repairing 50 gliders? Or does he have to donate all that time 'cause he's a dealer? (Do we have to pay for the upgraded parts?)
Lots of questions here!
Scott
And how does this work? Is this a sudden windfall opportunity for someone like Steve Wendt? Meaning, does he get paid for repairing 50 gliders? Or does he have to donate all that time 'cause he's a dealer? (Do we have to pay for the upgraded parts?)
Lots of questions here!
Scott
Wills Wing Cross Bar connection Recall
One word....preflight.
"Although
this pin connection is not a load bearing assembly in flight"
It's an assembly issue so if you were a diligent prefighter you could
probably stick with what you have indefinitely. Or better yet, just change
it after you get the new parts.
Kev C
-----Original Message-----
From: Scott [mailto:sw@shadepine.com]
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 10:15 PM
To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
Subject: Wills Wing Cross Bar connection Recall
Umm...okay...seeing as how this seems like a potentially catastrophic
possibility (crossbar halves coming separated in flight)...isn't this
something that we should all jump on ASAP? (Like, before flying again?) Or
is this one of those "wait 'til winter and we're done flying and then fix
it" items?
And how does this work? Is this a sudden windfall opportunity for someone
like Steve Wendt? Meaning, does he get paid for repairing 50 gliders? Or
does he have to donate all that time 'cause he's a dealer? (Do we have to
pay for the upgraded parts?)
Lots of questions here!
Scott
"Although
this pin connection is not a load bearing assembly in flight"
It's an assembly issue so if you were a diligent prefighter you could
probably stick with what you have indefinitely. Or better yet, just change
it after you get the new parts.
Kev C
-----Original Message-----
From: Scott [mailto:sw@shadepine.com]
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 10:15 PM
To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
Subject: Wills Wing Cross Bar connection Recall
Umm...okay...seeing as how this seems like a potentially catastrophic
possibility (crossbar halves coming separated in flight)...isn't this
something that we should all jump on ASAP? (Like, before flying again?) Or
is this one of those "wait 'til winter and we're done flying and then fix
it" items?
And how does this work? Is this a sudden windfall opportunity for someone
like Steve Wendt? Meaning, does he get paid for repairing 50 gliders? Or
does he have to donate all that time 'cause he's a dealer? (Do we have to
pay for the upgraded parts?)
Lots of questions here!
Scott
-
Flying Lobster
- Posts: 1042
- Joined: Fri Feb 25, 2005 4:17 pm
Dear Scott:
Thanks Kev...
If you download the advisory and read it you'll notice that it does not say that the existing hardware is structurally insufficient--just that there is a possibility, over time, for the retaining bushings/rings to come loose. The new hardware eliminates that possibility.
I would suggest you simply call your local dealer with your glider model and serial number (though this is not required by Wills Wing) and request the replacement parts. Next time you visit him/her he/she will explain/display the replacement procedure. This is the most efficient way to get out as many parts as possible since Wills does not have a database of current owners.
Kev's right--just preflight and you'll have peace of mind. We all preflight our crossbar joints--right?
marc
If you download the advisory and read it you'll notice that it does not say that the existing hardware is structurally insufficient--just that there is a possibility, over time, for the retaining bushings/rings to come loose. The new hardware eliminates that possibility.
I would suggest you simply call your local dealer with your glider model and serial number (though this is not required by Wills Wing) and request the replacement parts. Next time you visit him/her he/she will explain/display the replacement procedure. This is the most efficient way to get out as many parts as possible since Wills does not have a database of current owners.
Kev's right--just preflight and you'll have peace of mind. We all preflight our crossbar joints--right?
marc
Great Googly-moo!
Wills Wing Cross Bar connection Recall
Note that this only applies to gliders manufactured from 2004 on.
Brian Vant-Hull
301-646-1149
On Mon, 12 Sep 2005, Flying Lobster wrote:
>
> Wills Wing has a issued a recall on many glider models (Falcons, XCs, Ultra Sports, Eagles, Condors, U2s, Sport2s), specifically the connection hardware at the crossbar juncture. This does not affect topless gliders, just those with the common "ball and socket" joint.
>
> You will need to contact your dealer who should assist/supervise/perform in the proper installation of the replacement hardware. You can get further information from http://www.willswing.com/Tech_Bulletins ... 050621.pdf
>
> I am not aware of any failures nor are any mentioned.
>
> marcgot art?
> http://www.marcfink.com/
> wanna fly?
> http://www.downeastairsports.com/
>
Brian Vant-Hull
301-646-1149
On Mon, 12 Sep 2005, Flying Lobster wrote:
>
> Wills Wing has a issued a recall on many glider models (Falcons, XCs, Ultra Sports, Eagles, Condors, U2s, Sport2s), specifically the connection hardware at the crossbar juncture. This does not affect topless gliders, just those with the common "ball and socket" joint.
>
> You will need to contact your dealer who should assist/supervise/perform in the proper installation of the replacement hardware. You can get further information from http://www.willswing.com/Tech_Bulletins ... 050621.pdf
>
> I am not aware of any failures nor are any mentioned.
>
> marcgot art?
> http://www.marcfink.com/
> wanna fly?
> http://www.downeastairsports.com/
>
Wills Wing Cross Bar connection Recall
Let me ammend that - the first defect showed up in 2002, then they changed
it in 2004 and have since found another possible defect. So if you
purchased your glider before 2002, things should be cool. But I guess
it's still a bad thing that I don't regularly inspect the crossbar joint.
Add to list.
On Tue, 13 Sep 2005, Vant-Hull - Brian wrote:
>
> Note that this only applies to gliders manufactured from 2004 on.
>
> Brian Vant-Hull
> 301-646-1149
it in 2004 and have since found another possible defect. So if you
purchased your glider before 2002, things should be cool. But I guess
it's still a bad thing that I don't regularly inspect the crossbar joint.
Add to list.
On Tue, 13 Sep 2005, Vant-Hull - Brian wrote:
>
> Note that this only applies to gliders manufactured from 2004 on.
>
> Brian Vant-Hull
> 301-646-1149
I'll have to look to see which hardware my Eagle has. I'm not sure, though, one can assume from the WW tech bulletin that just preflighting that connection is safe.
According to WW,
Note that it was actually 2002 when they stopped using the bolt/locknut, which is what they're going back to.
Scott
According to WW,
Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but this suggests to me that it's possible the pin could work loose and fall out during flight, even if you preflighted it ahead of time. (Maybe not?) Never hurts to be concerned---I'm much happier knowing my glider is bombproof in normal conditions......we have found that the snap ring can be dislodged from the pin in apparently normal use, allowing the pin to fall out and disconnecting the hinge brackets (and thereby the crossbar halves) from one another.
Note that it was actually 2002 when they stopped using the bolt/locknut, which is what they're going back to.
Scott
crossbar
My falcon (pre-2002, by a lot) has a safety ring configuration at the junction of the crossbar, so I don't think I'm in the recall group. I tend to check it, to make sure the ring is still intact. Mine are readily visible - don't know if most are readily visible. That helps to facilitate the checking. Plus, the older the glider, the more paranoid the pilot...(is the converse true, I wonder: the older the pilot, the more paranoid the glider.... 
)
)Wills Wing Cross Bar connection Recall
OK, chill on the paranoia and over drama. It is not a load bearing item in
flight. It is something that could be compromised during (possibly
careless) transport, handling, and setup. The pin cannot fall out in
flight, unless you are capable of looping your Falcon while simultaneously
removing all load from the crossbar. That is of course, after you are
trying to loop said glider without a thorough preflight. Good luck with
that. Be sure to have a camera rolling.
OK, sarcasm aside. The answer to maybe not is not.
Put the bolt in, preflight your glider, and fly happy.
Kev C
-----Original Message-----
From: Scott [mailto:sw@shadepine.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 9:53 AM
To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
Subject: Wills Wing Cross Bar connection Recall
Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but this suggests to me that it's possible
the pin could work loose and fall out during flight, even if you preflighted
it ahead of time. (Maybe not?) Never hurts to be concerned---I'm much
happier knowing my glider is bombproof in normal conditions...
Scott
flight. It is something that could be compromised during (possibly
careless) transport, handling, and setup. The pin cannot fall out in
flight, unless you are capable of looping your Falcon while simultaneously
removing all load from the crossbar. That is of course, after you are
trying to loop said glider without a thorough preflight. Good luck with
that. Be sure to have a camera rolling.
OK, sarcasm aside. The answer to maybe not is not.
Put the bolt in, preflight your glider, and fly happy.
Kev C
-----Original Message-----
From: Scott [mailto:sw@shadepine.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 9:53 AM
To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
Subject: Wills Wing Cross Bar connection Recall
Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but this suggests to me that it's possible
the pin could work loose and fall out during flight, even if you preflighted
it ahead of time. (Maybe not?) Never hurts to be concerned---I'm much
happier knowing my glider is bombproof in normal conditions...
Scott
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Flying Lobster
- Posts: 1042
- Joined: Fri Feb 25, 2005 4:17 pm
Actually, the bolt being secured from the top would likely fall out--if it were going to--before you ever got off the ground.
The problem pertains really to only about a hundred or so gliders, but Wills figured they might as well update em all as long as they were about it.
As far as in-flight structural failure is concerned--the bracket and bolt in question does not provide a significant structural integrity function in flight, they're there mostly to keep the ends properly aligned during setup and breakdown. The only two known instances of the bolt falling out were during setup/breakdown when a wing was lifted badly (better check your LE at the noseplate too if you're doing that).
Bottom line is check your cross bar ends at the keel as part of your preflight until you replace the bolt. Once the cross bars are tensioned--EVEN IF--the bolt were out--the ball socket joint and other wires/straps provide most, if not all, the in-flight structural strength.
marc
The problem pertains really to only about a hundred or so gliders, but Wills figured they might as well update em all as long as they were about it.
As far as in-flight structural failure is concerned--the bracket and bolt in question does not provide a significant structural integrity function in flight, they're there mostly to keep the ends properly aligned during setup and breakdown. The only two known instances of the bolt falling out were during setup/breakdown when a wing was lifted badly (better check your LE at the noseplate too if you're doing that).
Bottom line is check your cross bar ends at the keel as part of your preflight until you replace the bolt. Once the cross bars are tensioned--EVEN IF--the bolt were out--the ball socket joint and other wires/straps provide most, if not all, the in-flight structural strength.
marc
Great Googly-moo!
(Yeah, I'll check it during preflight anyway.)-
Flying Lobster
- Posts: 1042
- Joined: Fri Feb 25, 2005 4:17 pm
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silverwings
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- Contact:
Re: Wills Wing Cross Bar connection Recall
Just one more benefit of flying a late '80s glider.brianvh wrote:So if you purchased your glider before 2002, things should be cool.
Scott, you're not paranoid, just annoyed.Scott wrote:Maybe I'm just being paranoid. Scott
Rance