Something you should know
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Stage II
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
From: Florida
Something you should know
I recently did some changes to my new 2017 RGS that required me to remove the gas tank. I figures while I had the tank off I might as well check the spark plugs. What I found was really alarming. All 4 plugs were loose just a tad over finger tight. I consider myself extremely lucky that the plugs stayed in place and the engine didn't get damaged as I have over 18K miles on my bike.
To all you new 2017 107 owners all I have to say is check your plugs
SvFiat
To all you new 2017 107 owners all I have to say is check your plugs
SvFiat
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 158
From: East Coast
It only takes one to cause an issue on a turbo charged Cessna 421.
I was flying a Cessna 421, air charter for a company and one spark plug blew out of the engine at about 15000 feet. The aircraft shuddered, shook and vibrated rather violently and of course raw fuel out of the engine was not good. Shut down that engine, was on the way to FL, but landed in Savannah, Ga. without further issue.
The aircraft had just come of maintenance, spark plugs where changed, just not torqued down and safety wired and it was signed off by the tech inspector, but he never actually checked anything.
This one did qualify as one of about 10 significant maintenance screw ups in 45 years of flying.
Some things can't be adequately seen or felt on a pre flight/ride, like the spark plugs on your road glide.
I was flying a Cessna 421, air charter for a company and one spark plug blew out of the engine at about 15000 feet. The aircraft shuddered, shook and vibrated rather violently and of course raw fuel out of the engine was not good. Shut down that engine, was on the way to FL, but landed in Savannah, Ga. without further issue.
The aircraft had just come of maintenance, spark plugs where changed, just not torqued down and safety wired and it was signed off by the tech inspector, but he never actually checked anything.
This one did qualify as one of about 10 significant maintenance screw ups in 45 years of flying.
Some things can't be adequately seen or felt on a pre flight/ride, like the spark plugs on your road glide.
Last edited by 68 XLCH; Jul 16, 2017 at 08:16 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,672
Likes: 11,460
From: State of Confusion
It only takes one to cause an issue on a turbo charged Cessna 421.
I was flying a Cessna 421, air charter for a company and one spark plug blew out of the engine at about 15000 feet. The aircraft shuddered, shook and vibrated rather violently and of course raw fuel out of the engine was not good. Shut down that engine, was on the way to FL, but landed in Savannah, Ga. without further issue.
The aircraft had just come of maintenance, spark plugs where changed, just not torqued down and safety wired and it was signed off by the tech inspector, but he never actually checked anything.
This one did qualify as one of about 10 significant maintenance screw ups in 45 years of flying.
Some things can't be adequately seen or felt on a pre flight/ride, like the spark plugs on your road glide.
I was flying a Cessna 421, air charter for a company and one spark plug blew out of the engine at about 15000 feet. The aircraft shuddered, shook and vibrated rather violently and of course raw fuel out of the engine was not good. Shut down that engine, was on the way to FL, but landed in Savannah, Ga. without further issue.
The aircraft had just come of maintenance, spark plugs where changed, just not torqued down and safety wired and it was signed off by the tech inspector, but he never actually checked anything.
This one did qualify as one of about 10 significant maintenance screw ups in 45 years of flying.
Some things can't be adequately seen or felt on a pre flight/ride, like the spark plugs on your road glide.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 158
From: East Coast
Parts do fail, but most of the issues are with the technicians or tech inspector who has to check and then sign off on the work.
Overall the technicians and TI's do a great job, but when, for whatever reason, they drop the ball it can cause catastrophic results.
Normally it is not that they aren't trained, but in aviation in general there is always pressure on maintenance to get the aircraft operational in the shortest time possible.
If the prop or the blade isn't turning they aren't making any money.
This is generally a contributing factor to issues and such as the one i described.
Worst case an accident.
Overall the technicians and TI's do a great job, but when, for whatever reason, they drop the ball it can cause catastrophic results.
Normally it is not that they aren't trained, but in aviation in general there is always pressure on maintenance to get the aircraft operational in the shortest time possible.
If the prop or the blade isn't turning they aren't making any money.
This is generally a contributing factor to issues and such as the one i described.
Worst case an accident.
Last edited by 68 XLCH; Jul 17, 2017 at 12:36 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: SW Ohio
I understood it to mean that he was surprised all four plugs were loose, instead of just one or two.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: midwest
Classic example of the dumbing down of America these days. Whether thanks to all the texting or simple indifference, communication is deteriorating.
"really all 4". What the hell does that mean? "Really? All 4?" or "Really. All 4!" can both be understood with simple capitalization/punctuation.
OK, I'll shut up. The wife says I'm turning into a grumpy old man - guess that's the result of my also increasing cynicism. One thing I will add however, is that aging doesn't make us easier going...
"really all 4". What the hell does that mean? "Really? All 4?" or "Really. All 4!" can both be understood with simple capitalization/punctuation.
OK, I'll shut up. The wife says I'm turning into a grumpy old man - guess that's the result of my also increasing cynicism. One thing I will add however, is that aging doesn't make us easier going...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
Classic example of the dumbing down of America these days. Whether thanks to all the texting or simple indifference, communication is deteriorating.
"really all 4". What the hell does that mean? "Really? All 4?" or "Really. All 4!" can both be understood with simple capitalization/punctuation.
OK, I'll shut up. The wife says I'm turning into a grumpy old man - guess that's the result of my also increasing cynicism. One thing I will add however, is that aging doesn't make us easier going...
"really all 4". What the hell does that mean? "Really? All 4?" or "Really. All 4!" can both be understood with simple capitalization/punctuation.
OK, I'll shut up. The wife says I'm turning into a grumpy old man - guess that's the result of my also increasing cynicism. One thing I will add however, is that aging doesn't make us easier going...
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Last edited by Campy Roadie; Jul 17, 2017 at 07:56 AM.