Damage on plane, would you fly it?

Looks like some abrasion damage. Some one had a tail strike from the looks of it. Looks like the damage is mainly to the plastic tip fairings. As long as the damage is within limits specified in the AMM, it is airworthy.....but....there would need to be some sort of temp fix until a perm repair can be done...i.e. speed tape, stop drilling any cracks and so on. I'd definitely want to see the maintenance logbook and the sign off. That being said, i would not sign that off as safe for flight, nor would I fly it in that condition.
 
If the place doesn't think that damage warrants and inspection and sign off (they are control surfaces!) then i'd never fly another plane from them.
 
wbauman1217 said:
I'd fly it any day. It can take a hell of a lot more than that and still fly just fine... IF I actually had to go somewhere and didn't have another plane available.
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My .02:

The thing isn't going to come apart with that kind of damage. I've seen much worse done to wings and the plane kept flying. Does that mean I would fly it? In the scenario that you're describing, no. It's not worth it. However, if it meant being stuck out on an uninhabited island during the middle of summer with no ride back until the next day, then hell yes I would fly it.

In a flight training situation flying that thing around with that damage is just stupid. The need to quit being cheap and just fix the damn thing.
 
I would definitely write it up. There are probably no allowable limits if there is structural damage, but maybe for fiberglass speed tape can be used temporarily ( you'd have to look in AC43-13.).If the aircraft is flown with damage, (and it isn't structurally compromised), and no inspection is logged, and you are ramp checked you can get certificate action. If the FAA later finds that other people flew it as well, they could get certificate action. I would call the FSDO if they don't fix it ( see how they feel about the matter).
 
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There's NO way.

There might be hair line fractures you can't see that wont hold up under stress. And one FSDO may be "OK" with it. Then you land at another airport and get Ramped there. Ugly things could happen.
 
cencal83406 said:
When you don't have a lot of experience, you defer to those with more experience, like a mechanic.

When you get more experience, you realize everyone else is trying to kill you, including mechanics.

Don't trust an aircraft mechanic with your life, ever, even if they are willing to sign something off.
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Thanks, Yosarian. I may need to get this framed for the hangar...
 
comfortablynumb said:
I take the plane was a rental. Many of planes are probably leaseback. The owner doesn't wan the downtime, so figures he'll wait for hundred hour. Mechanics hands are tied.
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As a former owner with two lease backs unless you call every day for an update on your aircraft or live a few miles down the road and don't have a day job you'd never know this happened until the end of the month and saw your statement. Then it's a little too late to maim and kill over the incident, the answer and the lack of income.
 
I meant that the FSDO would most definitely want to investigate further. No one in their right mind would fly that without an inspection, and repairs. It sounds like there are moron flight instructors, and customers still flying it.
 
I've flown some real crap boxes but even that would stop me. While most of that damage is cosmetic the damage underneath is the main concern.
 
I've seen a bunch of single-engine aircraft that were downed for a variety of structural causes, none of which were visibly apparent. C-182 full flap extension 25 knots above Vfe with NO visible signs. Tailstrike in a C-172 and only a slightly deformed tail tiedown ring. A BE-77 Skipper that had been spun repeatedly, and I was told the rudder was held on by the counterweight inside the vertical stab.

Unless you're an A&P who has examined that aircraft and know what caused the damage, you're not in a position to determine whether or not it's safe to fly.
 
tomokc said:
Unless you're an A&P who has examined that aircraft and know what caused the damage, you're not in a position to determine whether or not it's safe to fly.
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You could still play it safe. No way in hell I'd fly that thing, even if you paid me to. Not worth it.

...unless it was my only way out of a zombie apocalypse.
 
If it dont look right, dont take flight. Dont listen to those who might call you a different name for a cat that starts with a P. It aint worth it my man. You main focus is your family and do you feel safe putting your family on that plane. You shouldn't have to second guess that. Go rent elsewhere.
 
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