Inspection ring question

[Tnathan]

Hello, it’s been a while since I posted. Wanted to see if this is normal. I have had two inspection covers on the bottom of my wings depart the plane: one last year and one last week. Both times when I investigated, the inspection ring was cracked in half and the glue attaching the ring to the wing had let go from the wing fabric. It looks like that creates enough flexibility for the tabs on the cover to pull through the fabric. My plane was a new built with ceconite/poly fiber 5 years ago. Any thoughts about this? Build issue? Normal wear and tear. Does tab orientation make a difference. I have been told by some to have the tabs perpendicular to the airflow, others say parallel, others say it doesn’t matter. Just getting tired of buying new inspection covers.


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[dgapilot]

Been discussed many times on this forum


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[Gilbert Pierce]

Upper right hand coroner box labeled SEARCH Type in INSPECTION COVER. Lots of threads on them.

[Steve Pierce]

Yep, unfortunately a common issue. Did they put a fabric doily over the plastic inspection rings? they usually last longer with a fabric doily installed at recover. I run the tabs parallel to the slip stream and have even added a #4 PK screw through the plate and plastic grommet.

Here are some good Google search results using " lost inspection cover fix site:shortwingpipers.org"

https://www.shortwingpipers.org/foru...ming-Wing-Root

https://www.shortwingpipers.org/foru...spection-Plate

[Tnathan]

Yep, unfortunately a common issue. Did they put a fabric doily over the plastic inspection rings? they usually last longer with a fabric doily installed at recover. I run the tabs parallel to the slip stream and have even added a #4 PK screw through the plate and plastic grommet.

Here are some good Google search results using " lost inspection cover fix site:shortwingpipers.org"

https://www.shortwingpipers.org/foru...ming-Wing-Root

https://www.shortwingpipers.org/foru...spection-Plate

Thanks Steve. When I repaired it I did add a doily. Hope that helps.thanks for the reply.


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[Tnathan]

Been discussed many times on this forum


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Thanks. I didn’t recall hearing anyone say anything about this in the past 5 years I have been following the board. I am guilty of not searching this time. Assume I had something unique happening. Didn’t cross my mind to check.

Irritating it keeps happening but I guess it make me feel better to know that it isn’t operator error. I thought I was doing something stupid to make this happen so often. Never had another plane shed inspection covers like this one.


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[Tnathan]

Oh hey, one more thing. Not sure if you are making the trip but I will be at oshkosh this year. If so, it would be great to meet. You are always super and helpful on here. Thanks again.


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