ASCI 202 Blog Discussion: Hydraulic System

 Hydraulic System

The hydraulic system of an airplane is, perhaps, the most vital system when we talk about safety. In general aviation, the brake system is powered by hydraulic fluid as well as the landing gear operation for airplanes that have a retractable gear system.

This system can be really reliable, but even a small leak can be a potential hazard to the safety of flight. In a Cessna 172, it is important to check any hydraulic leak near the wheels, as this can mean that brakes can fail during landing.

When we preflight a Piper Cherokee PA-28-161 we can check the level of the hydraulic fluid to prevent a lack of fluid, that can cause a brake failure.

When we talk about complex aircraft, hydraulic failures could involve landing gear not moving up and down when needed. It is vital to check on preflight for any leak on the fuselage or also dripping from the hydraulic actuator.

The potential impacts can be catastrophic. It could go from skidding off the runway after no positive action from brakes on landing all the way to death

That is why is vital to mitigate any potential hydraulic leak, by doing a thorough preflight, and if you see any leak immediately stop the flight and send the airplane to maintenance. Below you will see pictures of how will a hydraulic leak look like, so you can avoid these types of dangerous situations.

 

References

How dangerous is the hydraulic leak of an aircraft? Quora. (n.d.). Retrieved August 23, 2022, from https://www.quora.com/How-dangerous-is-the-hydraulic-leak-of-an-aircraft

Brake Inspection and Service. Flight Mechanic. (n.d.). Retrieved August 23, 2022, from https://www.flight-mechanic.com/brake-inspection-and-service-part-two/