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Troubleshooting

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author experienced intermittent, then complete, failure of their aircraft's flaps, leading to an unplanned no-flap landing.
  • Initially suspecting a major component like the flap motor, closer inspection revealed simple corrosion on the electrical connectors leading to the motor.
  • Cleaning the corroded connectors with electrical contact cleaner immediately restored full flap functionality, fixing the problem easily.
  • The experience highlights that owners can save significant time and money by performing basic troubleshooting and preventive maintenance, as many seemingly complex issues in older aircraft can have simple solutions.
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A beam the numbers for the towered urban airport, I dropped the landing gear, confirmed I had the appropriate down-and-locked indications and waited for my Debonair to slow into the white arc. Then, as usual, I positioned the flap switch to the down position, anticipating through long experience I was extending them to their full travel of 30 degrees. After confirming my position and anticipating the turn to base, I glanced out at the wing, as is my habit, to confirm flap extension. Instead, I saw the left flap just beginning to extend.

“That’s odd,” I thought to myself; “They’re usually fully extended by now.” I diverted my attention back into the cockpit, adjusted power and flew my left turn onto the base leg. Another glance at the wing and the flap position indicator confirmed full flap extension. The landing was uneventful.

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