Question for Skywest and Mesa Dash-8

[NJAowner]

I recently few on a few Dash-8 flights and noticed that my planes and others at DEN had a piece of the fuselage replaced and riveted on at about the section of the fuselage lining up where the propellers are. I also noticed this on many of the planes at DEN. What was the issue?

Thanks.

 

[Jar Jar]

I think you are describing the kevlar pads that are installed on the fuselage in the propellor arc of the dhc8. This is intended to provide additional protection to the fuselage when ice is being shed from the props. Sometimes you'll notice those same pieces have areas of paint chipping away from the ice chunks hitting them as well.

 

[CA1900]

Yep -- our Beech 1900's at my previous company had similar shielding to protect it from the ice. It sometimes makes quite a racket when it comes off, too!

 

[NoJoy]

Exactly. You will see more paint coming off the left kevlar plate than the right do to the rotation of the blades. (clockwise) I don't know why they paint these things anyway. Just leave them without paint, and it sure would look better. The paint pealing off all over the place is not a pretty sight. I am asked multiple times-mostly from ASE passengers "why is there paint missing from that section of the plane?" I tell them why-and they just give me a look. I smile back and tell them to enjoy their flight!

 

[dispatchguy]

You forgot something



MESA SUCKS!

 

[WSurf]

Ding Dong! Pilots - Yo, whats up? Flight Attendant - Someone or something is beating on the side of the plane!
Never fails with the new FA's...

 

[WayBack]

I am asked multiple times-mostly from ASE passengers "why is there paint missing from that section of the plane?" I tell them why-and they just give me a look. I smile back and tell them to enjoy their flight!

Get creative with your answers. Tell them that it's actually an old quarter pannel off a 1972 Chrysler New Yorker, and since it's actually a car part, the FAA doesn't all aviation paint the car parts that are used on the airplane. It's a way to help the mechanics tell the difference between the two.

You imagine what they would be thinking every time they saw an airplane with patches or multi paint schemes on it?

 

[IBNAV8R]

"It's used to deflect propeller parts when we hit jet bridges.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[CX880]

Just tell the pax it's reinforced steel for if the propeller comes off and tries to cut through the fuselage.

 

[WayBack]

Just tell the pax it's reinforced steel for if the propeller comes off and tries to cut through the fuselage.

"If it makes it through the fuselage, usually the first person it hits will stop it. If not, the second body ALWAYS stops it. It's an acceptable limitation signed off by the FAA.......what seat are you in again?"

 

[WSurf]

Its not just the prop that will kill ya!!! You might wanna stay out of the last row.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Air_Lines_Flight_1288

 

[zasca]

Well, for Mesa, they are there to protect the plane when they drive into GPU's with a running prop....... We all saw THAT pic right???

 

[CX880]

Its not just the prop that will kill ya!!! You might wanna stay out of the last row.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Air_Lines_Flight_1288

I had to dh on a md80 and sat on the last row behind the engines right where that accident happened. Very scary and loud, the engine is inches from your window. That flight was only about 45minutes but it felt like an eternity.

 

[Alert height]

Bigger plate needed

On the Q400 there are many dings behind the kevlar plate. Canadian engineering at Bombardier did not account for the increased speed of the Q400 and apparently specified the same size protector plate. Each aircraft now carries mutiple DMI's because of this.