Bent rib; simply bend it back?

[mhorowit]

Attached is a pic of an aileron rib. After removing the rib, can I simply straighten that bend or does it need to be reinforced now that it's been deformed?

[Robert Lees]

Re: Bent rib; simply bend it back?

It depends what AC43.13 says...

The bend looks fairly severe, so might have cracked the material. I would straighten it and then reinforce it underneath, flush-riveting the reinforcement strip.

Rob

[mhorowit]

Re: Bent rib; simply bend it back?

It depends what AC43.13 says...
The bend looks fairly severe, so might have cracked the material. I would straighten it and then reinforce it underneath, flush-riveting the reinforcement strip.
Rob

(sigh) yet another learning opportunity. - Mike

[crispy critter]

Re: Bent rib; simply bend it back?

Hang in there Mike...your doing a great job. If it makes it easier for ya , I have a large box full of aileron ribs....just tell me where to send it.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Bent rib; simply bend it back?

Mike, learn how to repair sheet metal. You will be very happy with this skill, and learn it now rather than later. I am just re-learning it now after too many years of not knowing how to do it. Unfortunately I knew how to do it just fine for a while, but my workmanship needs to be improved

[N96337]

Re: Bent rib; simply bend it back?

Don't feel too bad, Mike. I have a few like that and a few that are corroded too... they'll all get a doubler strip squeezed on and re-primed.
JH

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Bent rib; simply bend it back?

Hammer dolly it straight. If no cracks, no need to add a doubler it doesn't need.

Mike

[Pearson]

Re: Bent rib; simply bend it back?

Mike,

If that were my rib, I would find a support for the underside of the cap strip where it is buckled, such as the edge or corner of a workbench. Then I would put something like a small piece of wood on top of where it is buckled and just press down on it. At the same time I would gently ease the front edge of the rib in the direction it needs to go. That's what I would do.

Check ac43.13, about patching it.