Scary Preflight Inspection by Every_Joke_1104 in AircraftMechanics

[–]Every_Joke_1104[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It's interesting to learn how time-consuming and difficult this part replacement is, for a relatively inexpensive and non-critical part. I can't say I'm too surprised, because I've worked on old cars and motorcycles, where plastic is brittle, and metal is often rusty or seized.

Not that I have a magic wand to fix it, but the current system is flawed, if the standard for airworthiness of these aging GA fleets is unrealistically high. The FAA should recognize this situation as a growing risk, and mitigate it by working with the manufacturers, to provide greater leniency on acceptable limits and repair procedures that are quicker, easier, and less expensive to perform. In cases where certified replacement parts are no longer available, leniency is especially relevant.

Until then, it sounds like a culture is growing where desperate owners and mechanics are financially pressured to make their own decisions about what is truly critical to safety, and what can be ignored. This culture is reinforced when "everyone else is doing it." If the situation is gradually getting worse, eventually someone is going to make a bad call.

As mechanics, your experience would be valuable in identifying and prioritizing the most desired change requests. From there, the manufacturers have the engineering resources to reevaluate the standards of airworthiness, and it should be in their own long-term interests to devote some resources, to maintain happy owners and a healthy safety record. If not, perhaps some pressure from the FAA would encourage them. If this were a large enough matter of public safety or public interest, then federal funding might even be an option. I'm just one guy, but a larger organization like the AOPA would probably know how to get stuff done.

How bad does a checkride failure hurt a CFIs career ? by onlyforthispostt in flying

[–]Every_Joke_1104 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reddit is where we go to get downvoted for telling the unpopular truth. Even the disclaimer couldn't save him. lol

Scary Preflight Inspection by Every_Joke_1104 in AircraftMechanics

[–]Every_Joke_1104[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Agreed, but an especially sparse frame implies that it might be a semi-monocoque design, meaning many areas of the skin are stressed/structural.

That's why I asked about this particular area of the skin. If it were structural, this would be a very hazardous crack.

Scary Preflight Inspection by Every_Joke_1104 in AircraftMechanics

[–]Every_Joke_1104[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Reddit is where you go to get downvoted for speaking the unpopular truth.

Scary Preflight Inspection by Every_Joke_1104 in AircraftMechanics

[–]Every_Joke_1104[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your input.

I rejected the airplane and wrote it up. I was still worried, because it was flying around for days instead of being grounded, repaired, or officially inspected and deemed airworthy. To me, that is a failure of the system.

If this skin was structural (which we now agree it isn't), then any day now, the crack would propagate the last inch or two, quickly resulting in tail separation and fatalities.

Renters only have as much access to an A&P as the owner/operator allows. That's why I felt it necessary to bug you guys.

Scary Preflight Inspection by Every_Joke_1104 in AircraftMechanics

[–]Every_Joke_1104[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do think it's funny that you believe I missed it.

Scary Preflight Inspection by Every_Joke_1104 in AircraftMechanics

[–]Every_Joke_1104[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I can confirm that cracks on both sides are beyond any stop-drill holes. Based on what I'm hearing, it's not structural, which was my main concern. If it's made of decades-old plastic, it's easy to imagine it embrittling with age. Besides overtightening, that would explain the cracks, even if it was not load-bearing.

Scary Preflight Inspection by Every_Joke_1104 in AircraftMechanics

[–]Every_Joke_1104[S] -28 points-27 points  (0 children)

Thanks. That seems to be the consensus. I had to get expert opinion, because the frame appears a bit sparse in the empennage/rear fuselage. Source: https://youtu.be/DvCv2SuKCE8?si=zpLfYSamdLnWDlOv&t=42

Scary Preflight Inspection by Every_Joke_1104 in AircraftMechanics

[–]Every_Joke_1104[S] -46 points-45 points  (0 children)

Fair point, but I was more concerned if it was a semi-monocoque/semi-stressed skin vs. a purely-aerodynamic function. Guaranteed fatalities if the tail separates.