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Monday, July 24, 2000

THRILLS AGAIN!!
Planned to fly out today to CO, LHX, La Junta,  from BPT, Beaumont, Tx. Did
my most thorough preflight and carefully stowed all the luggage. Clearance
to takeoff, and I roll onto the runway smoothly bring up the power and am a
little to the right of the centerline. As the power comes up the heading
comes to the left and I get on the right rudder hard.  Something pops and I
am heading for the grass.  The swerve to the left is severe but I get the
power off and luckily get stopped without hitting anything. The plane is a
little muddy and against the edge of the taxiway. I get it towed back to a
hose to wash off the mud on the wheels and brakes and on to the hangar.

What happened?  Inspection revealed that the nylon tubing carrying the right
rudder cable had broken out of the fiberglass holding it in about a 90
degree turn on the  nosewheel well.  This failure creates a great deal of
slack in the right cable!!! And no right rudder control! The swerve was
probably worsened somewhat by the spring tension still on the left rudder.

Moral of this incident:  I was LUCKY and everyone should be extra careful in
securing the rudder cable conduits, especially where there are any turns.

The left tire has lost a piece of rubber from the middle of the tread and
will have to be replaced. I suspect it will be another good time to check my
main gear!

LML website:   http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore:   http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair

Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.