Borders Gliding Club

Following on from the emergency AD which has grounded Pawnees around the world, here’s where we are at.

All 4 wings from ED and PA have had visual inspections.
Only the Left wing from PA passed this visual inspection, the other 3 all have extra holes drilled in the main spar.
Our engineers were hopeful that one of these wings might be accepted as serviceable by the type certificate issuer but this was not the case. ( waiting for this decision caused further delay)
This means the spars have to be replaced.
We have ordered 4 spars from univair in the USA (there is a wait time of over 8 weeks due to demand).
This work will be carried out at Milfield led by Phil Marks under the supervision of our engineers.
The intention is to re spar the right wing from PA first then fit the wings from PA onto the
ED airfame.
This will give us the shortest time to one serviceable Pawnee.
We will then re spar the left wing ( which originally came from came of PA) probably this coming winter.
This will give us 2 ‘re sparred’ wings on G AXED. With the new spars they don’t need the annual inspection/ testing until they are 5 years old.
We will then look to a plan to get the PA airframe serviceable including fitting the new spars to the ED wings and decide on a plan for the engine.
Martin

Pawnee update Friday 31st Jan 2025

The wings from PA were inspected by Ian S. and myself yesterday.
The left wing has passed the visual inspection and now needs eddy current testing and the inspection hatches fitted.
We removed the fibreglass wing tip and the original fabric and wood hoop is intact and in good condition underneath.

Sadly in the right wing we found some extra drilled holes in the spar so I’ve referred back to our engineers.

I’ve asked the engineers if they know of any other ‘spare wings’ in the UK that could be an option. Otherwise we could be looking at rebuilding 1 wing with a new spar.

Martin

Pawnee update
Myself, Ian Surley and Graham Blair removed the wings from G-AXED yesterday and they are stored upright at the back of the hangar alongside G-AZPAs wings..
The next stage is to get confirmation of exactly where the inspection panels need to be cut so the inspection can be carried out.
Through one of the existing circular small inspection holes we were able to see in to the spar and remove the spar cap screws - they came out easily ( which had been a concern) and no damage, cracks or corrosion was observed.
This has to be carried out between every rib - hence the need for new inspection panels, but an encouraging start.
Martin.

The extended deadline for the Pawnee spar inspection is next Monday 16th Dec.

I had originally intended to fly ED down to Bagby this week and bring the Supercub back.
However after consideration, I've decided the best course if action is to keep G-AXED at Milfield.

Fox engineering at Bagby have agreed for us to remove the wings, cut out the inspection holes - and fit the inspection covers if the spar inspection is good.
If its all positive (and if/when we get a resolution to the eddy current testing) then we will have to pay to get the engineers up to Milfield or at worse take the wings down on a trailer.
Again if we get a positive result we can re assemble the aircraft at Milfield and have the engineers come up to inspect and sign it off.
We also have the wings from G AZPA so can cut the holes in them and inspect the spars on those.

Martin

G -AXED is now serviceable again (a dripping fuel fitting found yesterday has been rectified)
G - BJCI is off line - unfortunately a couple of outstanding AD inspections have come to light during the 150 hour check, this involves another visit from the engineer, hopefully early this week. Should have an update tomorrow.
Martin

Well done to all indeed. That is a quick turn around for what can be a painfully slow process. Good to see the Bagby engineers pulling the stops out for us too.

It will be nice to see my old 'mount' back in service again!

Trevor D

G-AXED now Serviceable

We now have an extension to the emergency AD issued by the UK CA until 16th December 2024. We are working with the engineers at Bagby to prepare for this ( it’s possible this date may be extended further as we await information and guidance from the PA25 type certificate holder - Laviasa Argentina)
Following the incident where ED clipped the fence we have swapped the engine from PA and had the 2 bladed propeller repaired ( thanks for all the hard work put in by Ian Surley, Graham Blair and Phil Marks to make this happen).
The engineers were on site at Milfield yesterday and the aircraft is now released to service.
Martin