Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: "Nick Harris"
I'm wrestling with a dilemma and need some input so I can make a decision. The aluminum lift (sic) struts that I'm using are stiff as I-beams and Idoubt if I could bend them if I suspended them between two sawhorses andjumped on them. So, why in the world would I even need jury struts??Question #2 is: if I do decide to put in jury struts, how should the fittings beattached to the spars? I know that NO HOLES in a spar is the best, holes inthe center are next best, and holes toward the edges are least desireable. Didthose of you who have already done this have straps that run to the center ofthe spar or are yours anchored toward the bottom edge? I looked at a site showing the Piets in England and most of them had no jury struts.One ship had them only on the front strut. Does anyone have first-hand knowledgeof a lift strut failure from landing loads or negative G's in flight?I know that I've only heard conjecture and BHP stating "better use jerry struts",but he was talking about the more modern streamlined steel struts that arepretty flexible and nobody I have met has told me that they actually know ofa failure.So- I'd appreciate inputs although my inclination right now is to not use them.Larry________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: KGardner(at)odu.edu
I'm wrestling with a dilemma and need some input so I can make a decision. Thealuminum lift (sic) struts that I'm using are stiff as I-beams and Idoubt if I could bend them if I suspended them between two sawhorses andjumped on them. So, why in the world would I even need jury struts??>>In my opinion you need them, you need them. Don't fly without them.A while ago I reviewed 50 Piet accidents from 11/66 to 8/90. One reportstated: "in flight failure of left wing struts at mid-point. Turbulencecontributed, Fatal to 2. Aircraft destroyed."Other interesting items:Fatalities - 14%Serious injuries - 16%Critical injuries - 2%30% percent of the accidents were due to stall/spin, 20% to engine failure.Mike B Piet N687MB ( Mr Sam )________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Michael D Cuy
05/21/2001 02:21:01 PMMike,Very interesting information, where did you find it? Is it in a searchabledatabase?Kip>A while ago I reviewed 50 Piet accidents from 11/66 to 8/90. One report>stated: "in flight failure of left wing struts at mid-point. Turbulence>contributed, Fatal to 2. Aircraft destroyed.">Other interesting items:>Fatalities - 14%>Serious injuries - 16%>Critical injuries - 2%>30% percent of the accidents were due to stall/spin, 20% to enginefailure.________________________________________________________________________________Date: Mon, 21 May 2001 14:14:45 -0400