FAA notes Luscombe landing gear corrosion concern
The FAA has issued a special airworthiness information bulletin (SAIB) to alert operators of JGS Properties LLC (Luscombe) Models 11A and 11E series airplanes and Luscombe Models 8 and Phantom 1 series airplanes of a need for inspection procedures to detect and correct corrosion inside the main landing gear legs.
Luscombe Model 8-series airplanes have a history of main landing gear failures caused by moisture accumulating inside the leg above the axle, making it susceptible to corrosion. Internal surface treatment and regular inspection of the lower legs may help mitigate the corrosion-related gear failures, the FAA said.
The agency also urges using X-ray or ultrasound inspection methods on the leg-to-axle joint to detect internal rust during initial or follow-on inspections of the gear leg.
The recommendations apply to both conventional and Silflex main landing gear for the aircraft, the FAA said.
