Large crack in Main Landing Gear

[andyreid]

I'm the co-owner of Tsi 435SK made at Torrance using the build-assist program.

We've notice during cleaning that a significant crack has developed in the main landing gear (the manual says it's part UN-CMP-S03-C-X-0).
We've grounded the aircraft because we just don't know enough about the internal composition of this part.

Can somebody tell us if this is a structural defect requiring replacement, or is the landing gear internally reinforced for example using a metal leaf spring?


#slingsupport

[BaldCaldwell]

Wondering what year and/or iteration of this gear? And if subsequent improvements have been made to this component? In order to determine if others would be affected on later factory built pieces

Have you reached out to Torrance for an opinion?

[andyreid]

I reached out to Jean yesterday - no reply yet - will post when I hear. Apart from Jean does anyone have another email for folk in Torrance?

This build was completed end of August last year and the parts shipment from South Africa arrived in LA around Oct/Nov 22

Andy

[STGove]

Just my 0.02 cents worth...


YES, absolutely ground the aircraft.

Then immediately email that pic and description to Sling Technical, Barry, Edward, Jean.

From your part number, it is iteration 0 (zero) which means it is the original part, then find out if there is a Version 1 or 2. That will tell us much.

Have you had unusually hard langs in it?


Will be interesting to hear the response to this.

[ibgarrett]

Did your reach out to technical@slingaircraft.com about this? I don't think I'd fly it until I got confirmation one way or another as that doesn't look good.

I always figure at least 24hrs for a response given they are in SA. Jean also is probably the best resource in the states.

If you don't hear back from Jean in the next day or so I'd try calling them and let them know you have a question on a possible defective landing gear.

I'll also ping a few folks to see if I can get the ball rolling.

Brian

[ibgarrett]

I've pinged Edward and he should be reaching out.

I think we're all invested in finding out what is going on as that looks pretty serious to me and we're all using that style of landing gear.

[Edward_H]

Absolutely reach out to technical@slingaircraft.com. It’s what they are there for!

Jean was on one of his rare vacations for a long weekend and is coming back today, so it might be a while before he is able to get back to you. Tech Support will absolutely be faster. Make sure to give them the S/N of your plane (435sk) so they can research which undercarriage you have.

You should also use the “Issues, Concerns, and Events” (ICE) form that is on the front page of Sling’s www.slingaircraft.com website so that the quality department knows there may be a problem.

[andyreid]

Thanks for the input - no hard landings - definitely nothing that bounced or was uncomfortable.

I look forward to hearing from Edward but will also email to technical@slingaircraft.com

Thanks - glad this forum exists

Andy

[andyreid]

Also now reported in the Sling ICE system

[andyreid]

Would love to bring an update to the forum but still waiting for TAF or Torrance input.
Will keep you all posting!