Spar damage

[alwaysoar]

Last week a mechanic at our airport took it upon himself to move my airplane so that he could do an annual on another plane and in the process bashed the right wing on my plane on a 6X6 corner post. It looks like the post connected with the nav light pad and pushed in rather than backwards or forwards. Can't tell for sure though because the wing cover prevented any scraping. The wing tip and fabric repair seem pretty straight forward and I can handle that ok, but I've read here on the forum about spar damage from accidents like this. So, will those of you in the know tell me where damage would likely show up so I can do an exhaustive inspection. I imagine that the spar would split. Is that correct?

Incidentally, the IA who moved my plane does not feel he's at fault. Even though he was steering from the tail, and it was for the purpose of his business, it was the guy watching the wing who's at fault. Makes perfect sense, right?

Ed@BTV VT
TF 527

[paulp]

Re: Spar damage

Alwaysoar,

From what you described, this type of impact could result in a comperssion fracture, however, the tip bow will generally absorb most of the damage. One way to tell, is to move the wing up and down from the tip and listen for any strange noises or see you can feel any unusual movement in the wing. If not, everything is probably ok. The only way to tell for sure is to have the wing scoped. I also think that the mech that DID the damage should pay for the damage!!! You entrusted your property to him and he has the responsibility for protecting it.

Good luck

[alwaysoar]

Re: Spar damage

Thanks Paul. I doubt that anything's wrong inside, but I'll do what you've suggested. I've known this guy 18 years and he will never accept responsibility for what he did.

[stormman]

Re: Spar damage

"I've known this guy 18 years and he will never accept responsibility for what he did."

Kill him?

[Howard Wilson]

Re: Spar damage

Even Worse..........talk to his insurance co.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Spar damage

The rear spar at the butt would be the one to fail first, but a push inward on both is what happens when you fly so that load should have been in that direction. Tear out is the one to watch for ( ie when a ship is on its back or high winds hit from the rear. Did the tips pull inward from the bow being pushed inward? Check her over good......

[alwaysoar]

Re: Spar damage

I don't think it hit that hard, and as Paul said, the bow probably absorbed most of it. I'll check the rear butt end. Thanks for getting back.

Ed@BTV VT
TF 527

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Spar damage

Tell the mechanic you want him to inspect it for damage and put his assessment is writing. Advise him your wife will be keeping the papers and if there is a failure she will be in contact with him. This is even better if you are divorced from your wife and her LAWYER will be contacting him. ;-)
Seriously do a GOOD inspection of the spar attach area for splits in the wood. If the hit was against the wing tip light and he was pulling the plane backwards you could have a "worst case" loading and it doesn't take much to put a BIG load on the ends of the spar. That wing is a LONG moment arm.
By the way, a court will find him responsible in all 50 states. He is required to take "reasonable care" with your property and banging a post don't cut it.
Hank J

[alwaysoar]

Re: Spar damage

That's good advice, thanks. I think he would agree to do an inspection and do a right-up in the log.

Ed@BTV VT
TF 527

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Spar damage

Always Soar --- ED I have been on the side lines reading this.Up to now I have benn quiet observer but can not anymore. SORRY ! One sences you have a real reluctance to pursue this guy to the max. Either your personality lends itself to being driven over and letting someone spin there wheels on you asking how you like it (I am sorry to be so blunt ...but) or this guy is such an SOB that it will take a man with a violin case to "straighten him out" so to speak. Either way by all means please get a through inspection done by him in writing acknowledging how he damaged it and how he examined it and what the results CLEARLY are. This MAY or MAY NOT be a case of a little hanger rash or a magor wing rebuild and as an earlier post stated realize that the long moment of the wing can more easily than you think create a crack. My only concern is for the people like you and me that fly these planes and some day someone tears off the covering and does a close up on a spar that causes them to never fly again. It happens all too frequently and believe me a failure in flight will not only ruin your day but all so help destroy the integrity we all know a GOOD Taylorcraft has. The FAA gets really heavy handed when spars crack and the resultant ADs really can well SUCK. A factory possibly trolling for revenue suddenly determines metal spars or the like become in vogue ALA the CHAMP or be faced with potentially boring all kinds of holes in the fabric... well you see how it goes. We all want you to have a happy ending here Thank you

[lktiller]

Re: Spar damage

Whoa!!! Do you really want the same mechanic that will not accept responsibility to do the inspection?

I agree that there will probably be minimal damage, BUT!!!!!! (experience talking here!!) I flew a '41 BC12-65 for several years not knowing there was hidden major wing damage. Seems the last mechanic & inspector simply covered up the damage and signed it off as a "Utility rebuild".

This says lots about the survivability of the Taylorcraft but Mechanics are only human.

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Spar damage

Larry You just stated why its so important that this not be glossed over and reaffirmed my statement about what others have experienced. As far as having the same mechanic sign it off well... yep I agree with you. I really hope Ed follows through on this and holds the mechanics feet to the fire. This kind of stuff has the potential to reflect poorly on us and the whole fleet if we are not carefull...... Just a word for the future and wise................

[alwaysoar]

Re: Spar damage

First, I've gotten really good feedback here, just what I'd hoped for in terms of where and how to look for damage, and what kind of damage can occur.Thank you one and all for that. What I did not ask for, hope for, need, want, or appreciate is the implication that I am some kind of weak goo who is going to allow anyone to drive over me and spin their wheels. Not appropriate! I've been to war and have learned which and how to fight my battles so therefore how I deal with this mech whom I've know for many years is not a topic for forum discussion. Please grind your own axes.

Ed@BTV VT
TF 527

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Spar damage

Ed I am sorry to have made you feel insulted. Not intended nor the response/action I wanted from you. I am a hard egg.... with of course a soft cuddley yoke just ask Forrest. Best wishes in your efforts.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Spar damage

Yes`please let us know what happens....I am reminded of the great person that had an F-19 at a flight school in Ca. One day after a normal landing and taxiing in the one wing spar pulled out at the rear fitting and the wing kind of broke downward. Never would have happened in upright level flight, OH boy if they had hit turbulence....