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Hangar Flying => Hangar Flying => Topic started by: Drew on September 19, 2005, 05:45:35 PM
Title: emergency ldg in Cozy MKIV--all is well--little embarrassed
Post by: Drew on September 19, 2005, 05:45:35 PM
Two weekends ago, I declared an emergency in my Cozy. This was not the first time for me to declare an emergency. This is the third time in GA aircraft (once in a C-172 with 2 extremely fouled cylinders----and once in my Longez when I blew a hole in one of the cylinders), and I have declared 3 times in military aircraft.
Took off from my home field under VMC on an IFR flightplan. Leveled off at 5000ft. Approach then cleared me to climb to 7000 ft--I retrimmed for 140 mph for the climb. After about 500 ft of climb, the engine was getting a little rough----it did not feel right. RPM and MP looked good. Electronic ignition to off---no change--then back on. Mag off---no change either---back on. Mixture already rich for the climb. But holy smokes----the oil temp was smoking hot----and the CHT alarms were going off also! I throttled back with no change in any temps or vibration.
I punched up the nearest feature on the GPS and told approach that I was going to have to set down at the nearest field. They asked if I was going to declare an emergency---and I said "Yes". They gave me a steer to the nearest airport----which was the same one I had punched up on the GPS---and it was only 12 miles away. With a dead engine, I knew I could make 18 miles easy with no wind---my engine was still producing thrust but did not know for how long.
I looked around the cockpit again to see if anything else would jump out at me. I looked at the speedbrake switch (tiny switch by the pitch trim lever)-----It was DOWN!! I checked it right before takeoff!! I must have bumped it when I retrimmed for the climb!! OK---speedbrake up. Instantly, the "rough engine" got smooth and the temps started to fall. I told approach that I thought that I found the source of my problems---but would be making a precautionary emergency landing regardless.
Couple of lessons learned. -Need to protect the three position speedbrake switch or move it -Any "engine roughness" or temp problems----check the speedbrake position
Other observations -On my longez, this would have never happened since I had the plans built speedbrake which autoretracts when you get a little faster than the approach speed -Read another account of a longez with an electric speedbrake where he let it down to penetrate through a cloud deck. Once he got through it, the electric speedbrake failed and he could not retract it. He was at a lower altitude and had futher to go---smoked his engine. My take away---don't purposely use the electric speedbrake unless you are ready to land -In the landing pattern, you can hear the speedbrake go up and down---at full power, you can't -In the landing pattern, both the longez and Cozy kinda "shudder" with the speedbrake down----this is expected. I did not recognize this shudder at 140 mph and at full power------I will NOW!
In the end---I was kind of embarrassed---I hope others can learn from it.
Title: Re: emergency ldg in Cozy MKIV--all is well--little embarras
Post by: Jack on September 19, 2005, 10:44:51 PM
Quote from: "Drew"
Two Electronic ignition to off---no change--then back on. Mag off---no change either---back on. Mixture already rich for the climb. But holy smokes----the oil temp was smoking hot----and the CHT alarms were going off also! I throttled back with no change in any temps or vibration.
I I looked around the cockpit again to see if anything else would jump out at me. I looked at the speedbrake switch (tiny switch by the pitch trim lever)-----It was DOWN!! it.
Good job of flying it, aiming it, and finally troubleshooting the problem. Having forget to pickup my board a few times after takeoff, it feels much different and up it goes. My SOP is leave the board down on the ground until I hit 40 KIAS, then suck it up and keep the takeoff roll going.
If you think you do have a fouled cylinder or two, you might have to lean the puppy back to unfoul it hopefully. Done it a few times in various recip powered aircraft.
Hey your down in one piece and the airframe is reusable.
One thing for folks that haven't declared an emergency with ATC. After 40 odd declared emergencies, ATC has always responded ASAP and were very helpful. Although you have to tell them what you want. Most of the events were in military aircraft that were either going to or from depot level overhaul. Very prone to mech problems.
Jack
Title: emergency ldg in Cozy MKIV--all is well--little embarrassed
Post by: Drew on September 20, 2005, 06:05:11 AM
The engine is fine too. Changed the oil and filter. Checked, cleaned, gapped the plugs. Compression checked the cylinders. Ran up the engine. All looks and sounds good.
Related note: Just did the condition inspection this weekend. ELT inertia switch is bad. Fixing it is about as expensive as replacement----so I am replacing. The right brake is mushy. I am going to replace all the lines next weekend. It has nylaflow from the master cylinders to the spar----then hardlines down to the wheels. It has a very small leak at the b-nut where air is leaking in. Just ordered some titeflex lines which is teflon interior with stainless steel braid on the outside. Operating pressure is better than nyloflow and equal to stratoflex. Max burst pressure is also much higher than nyloflow. Titeflex lines are only $2.16/ft. The fittings are about 5 bucks each for carbon steel and about 20 bucks each for stainless. I went for the carbon.
Title: Cozy Emergency
Post by: easyrider on September 20, 2005, 10:31:37 AM
Dare I say it Here's another example of modifying Burt's plans. The original concept was years of developement and research. I bet there are more gear up landings with electrical gears than manual. I have been tempted to go electric speed and nose gear but reading the forums I'll stay vintage Burt. Easyrider
Title: emergency ldg in Cozy MKIV--all is well--little embarrassed
Post by: Drew on September 20, 2005, 02:35:30 PM
The electric gear on all the ones I am aware of have a mech retract. The Wright nose gear (like I have) can be landed on in any position-----not true with the standard nose gear retract. The standard nose gear retract also has the tendancy to jump the overcenter lock in rough conditions----unless you installed that ratchet device (which is also an improvement to Burt's design).
The electric speedbrake is no big deal if you locate the switch properly---on the stick would be ideal------and only use it for landing. The standard speedbrake can only be used for landing.
The mantra should not be "don't modify Burt's design---you will only get in trouble" but rather understand the consequences of your modification.
I don't hear anyone beating up Dick and Mike for modifying their airplane for IFR flight, adding 0360 engines and for flying (and landing) their airplanes several thousand pounds overgross (round the world flight---had to take off fully fueled with gas in the pods and the back seat-----and fly a short distance to get their planes inspected).-------They did understand the consequences of their modifications----and thought the benefits outweighed the risks.
Probably the best modification on my Cozy is the removable panel over the inst panel. I'll have to check the plans----it might be standard for the Cozy---but it was not for the Longez. Having spent months with my head under the Longez inst panel-----I can tell you that this mod is more than worth it.
Title: Glad your ok!
Post by: allen on September 20, 2005, 02:40:33 PM
Drew, Glad to hear everything was ok in the end. No motor damage is always good news as well. I have to say I’m impressed with your skill with the new plane. It’s a given that with your military background you think a bit more clearly then the average bear when under pressure, but I’m just impressed on how well you can handle troubleshooting under those conditions in a new plane! How many hours do you have in that aircraft now? Thanks for sharing the knowledge with us. As a new pilot I try to learn as much as I can from you salty old dogs.
Title: emergency ldg in Cozy MKIV--all is well--little embarrassed
Post by: Drew on September 20, 2005, 02:54:21 PM
I have about 50 hours in the new plane. Aviate, navigate, communicate. Don't forget to use ATC as a copilot. They asked if I wanted the airport freqs----I said "yes"---but I could have proactively asked for it.
The one thing that I did not do---which I will do in the future---is to switch to the GPS view that simultaneously shows my position on a map---and the point that I am going to. That way, I would have instantly had the runway orientation and my direction of arrival shown.
I also failed to slow to best glide. I purposely did not do this since I had lots of energy on the aircraft and a rather short distance to go. Looking back on it, I should have been more conservative, slowed to best glide, and left all that energy bleeding over the runway.
In the Navy, we are used to confessing our sins---in the hopes it helps someone else
Title: emergency ldg in Cozy MKIV--all is well--little embarrassed
Post by: Gilbert DRIEUX on September 21, 2005, 10:21:38 AM
Quote
In the Navy, we are used to confessing our sins---in the hopes it helps someone else _________________ Drew Swenson Cozy N171ML
And that help.
Thank you
Title: speedbrake
Post by: Charles Davis on September 21, 2005, 04:49:30 PM
Nice write up. I'd like to see more of this kind of stuff.
Thanks for teaching what you learned.
Title: Emergency Landing
Post by: easyrider on September 21, 2005, 09:38:29 PM
Drew Thanks for the feedback, that's what forums are all about. I must confess I have the instrument panel access panel so I fly a modified LongEZ, some mods make sense.
Easyrider
Title: Good Pilot
Post by: Ghost-Rider on September 22, 2005, 05:27:35 PM
Drew,
I definitely appreciate the posting. I am in the process of removing the manual speed brake on my VariEZe and installing an electric one. Your posting has given me insight into where to position the switch and I anticipate installing a light on the panel indicating when the brake is down. Thank you.
Title: emergency ldg in Cozy MKIV--all is well--little embarrassed
Post by: Drew on September 22, 2005, 08:02:42 PM
I do have a gauge on my speedbrake that shows how much it has extended. It is a gauge with a bunch of lights on it. The more the brake is out, more lights turn on (it is a bar graph or ladder light---or whatever you want to call it). But the gauge and switch are right next to the trim handle (not in your normal line of sight).
I think the best place to put the speedbrake switch is on the stick. On military fighters, it is a thumb switch on the throttle. Forward thumbs them back it----pulling back extends them.
A good place for a speedbrake light (as opposed to a gauge) would be right above the attitude indicator. This would be a light that would indicate that the brake was in any position but fully retracted. Another good light in this location is an engine alarm. Many engine monitors have remote lights that light up when any of your parameters have been exceeded.
Title: emergency ldg in Cozy MKIV--all is well--little embarrassed
Post by: Spodman on September 26, 2005, 08:52:06 AM
Well flown Drew.
The instrument panel is removable in the plans.
Title: Re: emergency ldg in Cozy MKIV--all is well--little embarrassed
Post by: Drew on December 14, 2008, 02:42:05 PM
I noticed that the BIO Fuel Cozy more or less got destroyed due to the situation that happened to me as delineated in this thread. The difference is that he noticed that his speedbrake was down after he destroyed the airplane.
Be cautious of the electric speedbrake. Only use it when ready to land. Make sure the switch is protected (mine is on the stick now). AND----if you have any trouble with your engine---check to see that the speedbrake is up---and better yet, just thumb it up anyway.
Of course, if you have downdraft cooling, this is not a problem with either electric or manual speed brake. :)
Title: Re: emergency ldg in Cozy MKIV--all is well--little embarrassed
Post by: cloudman on December 14, 2008, 03:48:56 PM
I noticed that the BIO Fuel Cozy more or less got destroyed due to the situation that happened to me as delineated in this thread. The difference is that he noticed that his speedbrake was down after he destroyed the airplane.
Be cautious of the electric speedbrake. Only use it when ready to land. Make sure the switch is protected (mine is on the stick now). AND----if you have any trouble with your engine---check to see that the speedbrake is up---and better yet, just thumb it up anyway.
Of course, if you have downdraft cooling, this is not a problem with either electric or manual speed brake. :)
............................ I was going to mention using downdraft cooling, since in this case two non-standard changes are better than one. On my Varieze, I had made a few changes back 25 plus years ago from Burt's design, eg. access panels above instrument panel, panel under gear legs and other non-electrical changes. If I had a light to let me know that the speed brake was down would not really hack it ....... since it is one more thing that has little electrons running through it. I do not like to count on those little fellas anymore than necessary.....particularly when it effects the ability to stay in the air. Throw in dual electronic ignitions into that group also. Keeping it simple (and light) was Burt's concept and still seems like a good idea today. Sounds like you did it right Drew.
Title: Re: emergency ldg in Cozy MKIV--all is well--little embarrassed
Post by: Drew on December 14, 2008, 06:43:50 PM
Keep in mind that the incident in this thread took place over 3 years ago. With this experience, the first place I now look is the speedbrake. I only bring it up again due to the loss of a Cozy this year under similar circumstances. One of the reasons I read the EZ sites is to pick up on these tidbits---in the hopes that I can learn from the experience and apply it to my flying.
We (I) don't retain everything that we read---but this experience scared the crap out of me (expecially with my extremely pregnant wife aboard). And my mind turned to mush as I tried to sort out what the gauges were telling me. For instance, how in the world can I have over heating oil temp, CHTs, EGTs and still have good oil pressure? On the other hand, I have seen oil pressure go to zero---and did not freak out---all the other temps were normal (must be a bad oil temp gauge. But in this case---nothing made sense.
Of course in hindsite----blocking all the airflow to the motor will cause this problem (pretty much a problem only in EZ type aircraft with updraft cooling). And I was LUCKY to catch the speedbrake down.
If you understand everything that I have written---and understand how big of a problem this can be---this will never happen to you---it will be a non event.
It is now MUCH more difficult for me to even get in that situation due to moving the switch------but any kind of overheat always has me checking the speedbrake as part of my scan.
Title: Re: emergency ldg in Cozy MKIV--all is well--little embarrassed
Post by: eric r on December 15, 2008, 05:10:44 PM
Thanks for the honest info. We can all take away a little knowledge from your experience. I would like to add that some get a little, shall we say complacent on the tried and true "checklist". I use one daily in my employment even though I could probably recite it from memory. Emergency procedures are a different story, and I bet that little step will be added into memory!
Title: Re: emergency ldg in Cozy MKIV--all is well--little embarrassed
Post by: allen on December 15, 2008, 07:03:46 PM
I was curious why this thread was revived. I was not aware that the BIO-Cozy was destroyed. Is there a write-up on this somewhere?
When I bought my Long-Ez I recalled your story and had the seller relocate the "Speed Break Down" light one the panel to right above the engine monitor gauges. Hopefully a bright glowing light would catch my attention in an overheat senario. The switch is on the stick.
Keep the stories going guys. There are noobs out here that really do learn from this stuff.
Marry Christmas. ;)
Title: Re: emergency ldg in Cozy MKIV--all is well--little embarrassed
Post by: Brett795 on December 16, 2008, 12:04:32 PM
I have heard of several Ez/Cozy pilots say that on their electric speed brake that the switch was accidentally moved or bumped to allow the speed brake to partially extend down. I have never used an electric speed brake or worked with a plane that had one, but is anyone using a Double pole, double throw (DPDT) safety switch that is similar to a landing gear switch where you have to pull out on it before you can move it up or down?
Title: Re: emergency ldg in Cozy MKIV--all is well--little embarrassed
Post by: Drew on December 16, 2008, 03:54:25 PM
The write up was in the Squadron III free email newletter the Beagle puts out. Excerpts and minor editing below:
Excerpt... ...He was forced into an emergency landing at a small airport in Osceola, 70 miles north of Springfield. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.
...believes the engine's air intake became blocked, causing the engine to quickly overheat and misfire. The problem was not related to biofuel because he had not used biofuel since leaving Kitty Hawk. Instead, he was using standard airplane fuel.
He chose not to attempt to land on Highway 13 because of traffic. The grass runway was obscured by a bank of trees. So he landed on the paved taxiway, in gusting winds, and quickly had to turn onto a grassy field to avoid a building. His plane slid, rode up a berm, lifted over a road and finally stopped, upside down, in a drainage ditch 25 feet from a home.
His comment follows: “Accidental deployment of speed brake during moderate turbulence... front end of tornado warning which was not in effect upon take-off. Everything works except right leg... can feel but not move. “ Beagle preaching – I’ve been cautioning people against electric speed brake as I saw Klaus abort a takeoff when his cb blew and the belly board was stuck down. I don’t think a less observant pilot would see the circuit breaker out after putting the speed brake up for takeoff – and it makes me nervous. If you could work in a 5 minute timer on extending it, maybe then I’d feel better…
However, Len confirms he was shocked to find the belly board down when he was landing after cooking his engine – blames thick gloves in cold front for making the switch mistake. The manual speed brake solves all this by popping up at 100 mph or so and also stands up in the cockpit before takeoff – in the way of the throttle. Sure Rutan discovered various things that needed to be done to protect the pilot’s back in the Long EZ.
End Excerpt
For the question on the switch----you can use any kind of switch that you want. For my aircraft, the original builder located the switch next to the pitch trim where it could be easily bumped. It was a 3 position switch with the middle position being off. The speedbrake indicator was right next to the switch. If you like to mess around with partial speedbrake positions, a locking lever is not a good idea. With a manual system, you only have up or down----and I tend to like the all up or down. The current switch position is on my Infinity stick. It is momentary down, off in the middle, and clicks up for up. The indicator is on my Dynon engine monitor which is on the passenger side of the aircraft (not ideal). However, I only use the brake for landing----and very difficult to make the same mistake with the switch on the stick----as well as me being spring loaded to check speed brake position with any heating problems.
And of course, downdraft cooling or manual speedbrake (properly adjusted) totally fixes this problem. All I have done is to mitigate it---which is ok. The point is---it bit me---I got lucky (maybe a little skill---but don't want to kid myself too much). It recently bit the BIO fuel Cozy driver----and he was not so lucky. The thread was resurected to scare the crap out of people to make sure this is in their scan. Something so simple can majorly ruin your day or worse yet, kill you. Leaving the brake down WILL bring you out of the sky. There was at least one instance where there was a speedbrake failure airborne (stuck down). He put his brake partially down to quickly get through a layer (or maybe to keep his engine a little warm during a cold descent) but then could not retract. Because of that incident, I only deploy when I am ready to land.