So in the middle of Afrika we were wondering why our PT6-3b's weren't able to make topping..
Everything else was good....!....Just wouldn't make topping..
We checked everything...
Did a ground power assurance...
hefty positive margins,
But they would not make topping..
hmmmmmmm
My beloved 212 had spent the day long lining and trash hauling in the 45C heat of Afrika and much of it at RTOW..
We removed panels that were too hot to touch and waiting till the cool of the evening and then went to have a look in the fading heat of the day
Caught in the beam of the Maglite, as it flashed across the little plastic window that views to the inlet plenum and protective screen...we noticed a bit of grass poking out. After removing the inlet plenum ....and an exhaled 'Holeeeee Craaaap' we removed enough grass to feed a small horse
The tall stalks had been sucked in and completely wrapped around the cylindrical screening in front of the compressor...The ring of grass was at least 3" thick and completely obliterated the inlet
Both engines showed the same level of obstruction yet..neither engine even shrugged or burped
Not until the the topping check was there a hint of a problem
Needless to say...in Pratt & Whitney I trust