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SB: ELT Antenna Cracking (SB-021425-A)

ICON has received reports of cracked or broken ELT antennas. Damage may be isolated to the base of the antenna or may result in departure of a portion of the antenna whip, which may cause damage to the propeller and/or fuselage. Additionally, damage or loss of the whip may inhibit emergency location transmission.

ICON has identified a suitable replacement antenna, the RAMI AV-300 Rod Antenna. It is recommended to install this antenna at the next suitable service opportunity, but no later than the identification of any sign of damage. Until the antenna is replaced, regular inspections are required to support informed decision-making.

https://www.iconaircraft.com/wp-cont...a-Cracking.pdf

S/N: 00001, 00003-00224

TIME OF COMPLIANCE:
Initial Inspection: Within 40 flight hours, or at next condition (100-hr/annual) inspection, whichever comes first.
Recurring Inspection: At each condition inspection, until repair is completed.

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At about 250 hours, my ELT antenna (the wire part) departed the fix and left a small divot in the left sea wing and on a blade of the propeller. Only cosmetic dings. Easily remedied with paint dabs. I treated the intersection between the wire whip part of the antenna and the plastic base with Corrosion X as a preventative. I am now at 360 hours with no signs of a "loose" wire element of the antenna. Non-the-less, I plan to replace the current antenna with the recommended replacement at my next MX interval.

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Has anyone had any luck getting the new parts for this SB from Icon?

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Well, no replies - so I'll pass on to everyone that be forewarned that if you order from allavionics.com there is a good chance you will be told that they have the antenna in stock and will ship within 24 hours. Weeks later you will still be waiting for it to even be shipped. They will call with all sorts of excuses - promising to ship immediately as they NOW have it in stock. In the end you'll likely be forced to dispute the credit card charges to get your money back - as I did.

But on a lighter note - Icon is now shipping the ground planes needed for the installation of the newer antenna.

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Thanks for the heads up and update Michael. Sucks that you had to go through all that.

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I had the new antenna installed during my recent Condition Inspection. Looks a lot better than the old style.

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I agree! No longer looks like an AM/FM radio antenna sticking out.

My A&P was concerned though that we were not using the manufacturer's available aluminum backplate. He thought it needed more of a structural base spreading out the drag forces - more than just the 3 attachment bolts the SB calls for. Time will tell.

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Great choice. This option was not available when I needed to replace my whip antenna. If it fails again, I will go for the upgrade. In the meantime, I add drops of L3 corrosion control to the joint at the base of the wire antenna, believing that the cause of the whip antenna failure/departure may have been corrosion-related. AKA - VooDoo!

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Cousin aircraft Super Petrels which share the design of antennae mounted to the composite cowling of a pylon-mounted pusher engine also have serious breakage issues from vibration and corrosion. They too have turned to RAMI solid antennae with obligatory backing plate.

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Well I just did a preflight and noticed my Antenna is stuck in my tail boom. Great day. The plane has 240 hours.

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I assume just the metal whip portion? How much damage - and anything noticeable on your prop?

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Yes just the whip portion. Its actually stuck in my tail boom. there is a lot of damage per Matt Oxender. The prop has some chunks taken out of it as well.

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Ugh - frustrating. Sorry to hear that.

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Well it happened to my son from his last flight and didn't even know about it but it could have been much worse obviously. I only posted this so everyone replaces theirs because it could have been bad!

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That really sucks. I have been worried about that happening too. I changed mine this last annual. Didn’t have any issues prior with corrosion, but did it to give me peace of mind.

Also did the swap out of lane B plastic plug which allows noisy cooling fans to be removed (fans that turn on when you click on master switch). When ICON approves, I will do the rubber mounts on the fuel pumps which apparently makes cockpit quieter too. After that, I’m waiting on MRA for the G3X radar altimeter antenna placement. Good times coming!