Posted by Sinko on Monday, August 2, 2010 @ 07:43 PM:
I recently had to make a gear up landing in my RF5B because the gear jammed just before it was fully retracted. The main retraction handle went almost all the way to the retracted position, but the small release lever did not spring forward as it normally does. When the aircraft was lifted after the gear up landing the gear went down without a problem. After jacking the aircraft up in the hanger the gear worked just fine.
I had no idea what went wrong, but after about an hour my mechanic came up with an answer. The Goodyear tire currently on the aircraft is apparently about a quarter inch bigger than the original tire (I think it was a Continental) and rolls over a small baffle in the gear compartment. There used to be a radio in the aircraft that protruded into the wheel well so the standard procedure was to apply the brake before retracting the gear. Unfortunately, the brake pivot had developed a lot of friction and the brake was not releasing as it should have. This caused the tire to jam on the baffel. When jacked up in the hanger I had not applied the brake and the tire just rolled over the baffle.
Since I knew I was landing gear up the prop was feathered and horizontal and the only damage was about an inch worn off the skids (landing was on a smooth paved runway), a couple of 6 inch rips in the cowling, and the gear door hinges are pretty much worn down. The airplane stopped in about 150 feet versus the normal 600 or 800 in a zero wind condition.
Posted by JamesB on Monday, August 2, 2010 @ 08:02 PM:
Welcome to the forum.
I'm glad that the landing wasn't more serious.
When I replaced the main tire on my RF5B, the A&P and I had some concerns about making sure the new tire wasn't too big. I've never had to nor heard of anyone having to apply the brake to raise the main gear. That seems to be a real issue to get right, even if it means getting a different radio, a different tire or reorganizing your panel.
I have a Michelin 600-6 6ply (part # 070-314-0 from Desser) that retracts and extends without problem.
I bet Collin & Eugenio can help with replacement parts.
I hope we see you at some of the fly-ins.
