I had this problem with the nose gear door. Everything worked fine on jacks and the problem only occurred while in the air. It was accompanied by an audible buzzing from the front of the aircraft at higher IAS (> 130-140 k IAS) the source of which took a while to diagnose . Of course it was made harder by the fact that all worked perfectly well on the ground. The tower confirmed the failure of the nose gear door to shut.

Various remedies were suggested including turning up the pressure to 1300PSI and replacing the door spring with a weaker one (didn't try this). I also discussed with Vern and Tim Ong and made several postings regarding same.

The solution was simple--I replaced the sequence valve and all is well. Apparently leaks/faults in the sequence valve are difficult/impossible to diagnose. I considered just replacing the seals but thought the same amount of labour would be involved so I may as well replace the whole unit (approx US$140 for a new valve.)

--
Gerard O Connell
Melbourne, Australia
VH-LPD (LNC2)

--------- Original Message --------
From: "Lancair Mailing List" <lml@lancaironline.net>
To: "Lancair Mailing List" <lml@lancaironline.net>
Subject: [LML] 320/360 gear extension failure
Date: 02/01/2005 12:11

In the post exchanges between Rob Logan and PJHWFD I see that reference is made to a door hanging open.

 

I have had this problem and even though I can see the pressure rise and the pump trip off on the pressure switch I am at a loss to explain the door failing to close.

 

It is always the right hand side and not all the time.  I took out the seat pan on the RHS to check it in flight and of course it worked fine!

 

Of course if you do not know it is open you could be flying that way and this may be why the hinge and rod end fail under the aerodynamic loads.

 

Did either Rob and/or PJHWFD reach any conclusions as to the cause of the door staying open and which side door was it?  I have checked all the obvious possiblities but am no further ahead.  It works like a dream when on the jacks.

 

The RH door is off the plane and stays off until I can be sure that I have solved the problem.  The left hand door is perfrct and has given no problem in 160 hours.

 

Happy New Year to all

 

Ian Crowe

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