Damage on plane, would you fly it?

Just get a sharpie out and you're good to go:
alaskaairlines120808ap630.jpg
 
Vflyer said:
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.
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As long as you're in aviation, THIS is the only thing that matters.
I wouldn't fly it. If you want to do so, please go alone; don't subject ANY passenger to something like this.
 
The rudder damage is cosmetic. The elevator damage is through sheet metal and needs to be repaired. Whether or not I would fly it back to base to get it fixed, I can't say, but definitely wouldn't leave on a trip with it like that.
 
tomokc said:
I'd fly it only if it was under a ferry permit, and only if I knew the A&P who signed the permit.
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Yeah, that—only to a place (hopefully close!) where maintenance may be performed, assuming there are no places at which maintenance may be performed at the field.
 
mojo6911 said:
Unfortunately, you HAVE to trust the mechanic, unless you are dong the work yourself.
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Well, even when I accept a plane from maintenance, I don't trust the mechanic. It's implicit in flying the plane however my eye is watchful for things they may have screwed up.

The only emergency I've been a part of including rolling the trucks was caused by maintenance, and there would have been no way for me to catch it on a pre-flight.
 
mojo6911 said:
Unfortunately, you HAVE to trust the mechanic, unless you are dong the work yourself.
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You don't HAVE to trust a mechanic. You may CHOOSE to trust a mechanic, but the trust is not forced on you.

The mechanic who maintains my personal airplane has been doing my maintenance for a decade now. I choose to trust his abilities and decision making regarding the maintenance of my airplane. However, I go over the books and the airplane with a fine toothed comb every time.

I've also seen way to many times where mechanics couldn't follow a simple written procedure for a MEL. Makes me wonder what they are missing on the inspections and repairs where I don't have the procedure in front of me. Besides... mechanics are human and prone to make mistakes just like the pilots they wrench behind.
 
ctab5060X said:
You don't HAVE to trust a mechanic. You may CHOOSE to trust a mechanic, but the trust is not forced on you.

The mechanic who maintains my personal airplane has been doing my maintenance for a decade now. I choose to trust his abilities and decision making regarding the maintenance of my airplane. However, I go over the books and the airplane with a fine toothed comb every time.

I've also seen way to many times where mechanics couldn't follow a simple written procedure for a MEL. Makes me wonder what they are missing on the inspections and repairs where I don't have the procedure in front of me. Besides... mechanics are human and prone to make mistakes just like the pilots they wrench behind.
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Right, but I meant bigger picture sort of deal. Flying for a living, you absolutely HAVE to trust your crews (ground, mx, whatever). You always have the authority to turn down a flight (obviously).
 
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