Damage on plane, would you fly it?

[Vflyer]

This damage recently occurred on the elevator and rudder on a plane I planned to take with the family on a fairly long trip (10+ hours). I've already decided to cancel it due to the weather that's being forecasted, but I'm curious what some of you more experienced guys would do in this situation when presented with this on preflight. I discussed it with the mechanic and he said it was fine until the next 100 hour, but it doesn't quite feel right. Let me hear what you think as I'm always trying to learn.

 

[skypilot6]

No way in HELL I would fly a plane in that condition.

Is that damage on both sides of the elevator?

 

[auw2fly]

Yikes! No way I'd put my family (much less myself) in that plane.

 

[Vflyer]

No way in HELL I would fly a plane in that condition.

Is that damage on both sides of the elevator?

Yes it is. The picture angles are a little weird, but the top one is the left side, and the middle one is the right side.

 

[Der_Meister]

Ah I've seen that befre. While I agree with the Mechanic, I still prob wouldn't fly it at least until I know it had a tail inspection. That happens from excessive/improper soft field take off and landing techniques on a windy day.

 

[averettpilot]

Tell the mechanic to go fly it til the next 100 hr with his family.

 

[Boris Badenov]

"Relax, that'll buff right out..."

 

[Baronman]

Negative on taking that plane flying. The first photo particularly looks nasty. This isn't just scraped paint, it looks like a hole in the structure.

Will it fly? Probably. Does it fit into a mindset of maintaining as high a level of safety as possible? No.

 

[Shiftace]

"Relax, that'll buff right out..."

Actually, duct tape.

 

[SurferLucas]

F&*$ that!

 

[Apophis]

Tell the mechanic to go fly it til the next 100 hr with his family.

I really like this idea.

 

[averettpilot]

It's always worked for me

 

[PhilosopherPilot]

No way. If you got ramp checked an inspector might go crazy. Plus, it might not be structurally sound. It's hard to tell from the pictures.

 

[mshunter]

An inspector violated a guy for bending back a sheet metal light protector. What do you think he would do with that damage if you took off knowing it was there? Besides that, it looks like the structure is probably compromised.

Um, no way in hell I'd fly it.

 

[Mike Wise]

NO, Just because the scratch looks OK doesn't mean there isn't something bigger happening behind it/inside it/ on a microscopic level etc.

 

[89-LX]

 

[trafficinsight]

Hey Cessna, I can see your balance weight!

Yeah no, no flying that thing.

 

[rockman2343@aol.com]

Would you take that plane on a checkride?

 

[Tommay85]

Nope nope! Unless you'd like a quick 709 ride, or worse.

Flying a plane after a bird strike without it first being inspected and signed off, even if there's no visible damage is illegal. If you get caught of course.

Stuff you see duct taped on on airliners are in compliance with an MEL, NEF, CDL ect...

I'd love to meet the mechanic that would sign that off.

 

[SpiraMirabilis]