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Posted

I don't mean to rain on any ones parade,but why would the insurance company be involved in this?  How is this any different than wing spar corrosion or the engine swallowing a valve?  Would they not claim this is deferred maintenance?  On the other hand, maybe I need to re-read my policy.

Posted

If you bought it with the damage, it would not usually be the responsibility of your insurance carrier...

If you had a PPI done, you would want to try recover the costs from that organization. That is what the PPI is supposed to be for. Check your agreements when you ordered/agreed to the PPI.

Insurance companies will be looking at the cause of the damage and follow up with assigning blame and determining if fraud has been involved.

Insurance companies pay for damage after an accident, after you own the plane...

If it is no longer in AW condition, it may not be covered. You will need to know how to keep proper coverage on the plane.

They won't have any interest in solving problems that didn't come during their watch. They have a team of lawyers that they employ to make sure they don't.

Ya know?

Best regards,

-a-

Posted

Keep shopping for estimates. You can likely cut that estimate in half. Insurance isn't going to pay anything. There was no accident.

Posted

I am a bit surprised that the entire skin needs to be replaced. Why not a 337/major repair and properly engineered patch/doubler? 

 

Or, simply procure a replacement wing? 

Posted

I am a bit surprised that the entire skin needs to be replaced. Why not a 337/major repair and properly engineered patch/doubler? 

 

Or, simply procure a replacement wing? 

 

Replacing a wing is pretty expensive. It's about 100 hours in labor I'm told by the guys at LASAR and they have done it several times. When you buy the new wing, you can get one that is corrosion free and in perfect condition, but you'd be rolling the dice when it comes to the condition of the gas tank sealant. Likely you wouldn't know if it was leaking until you first put gas in it.

 

In the case of the OP's problems, I don't think wing replacement is warranted. The quote he got was likely from a shop that just really doesn't want to deal with it as it is out of their comfort zone.

Posted

Replacing a wing is pretty expensive. It's about 100 hours in labor I'm told by the guys at LASAR and they have done it several times. When you buy the new wing, you can get one that is corrosion free and in perfect condition, but you'd be rolling the dice when it comes to the condition of the gas tank sealant. Likely you wouldn't know if it was leaking until you first put gas in it.

 

In the case of the OP's problems, I don't think wing replacement is warranted. The quote he got was likely from a shop that just really doesn't want to deal with it as it is out of their comfort zone.

 

It's a Mooney Service Center.

 

 

Update: Called AOPA legal services on Thursday,  took my cell and said they'd return my call, so I'm just waiting on that.

Posted

It's a Mooney Service Center.

 

 

Update: Called AOPA legal services on Thursday,  took my cell and said they'd return my call, so I'm just waiting on that.

 

I know it's a MSC, but they are not all the same and the one you got the estimate for may not do a lot of sheet metal work. You have a '67 F, so you have the twisted wing like I do, I assume the factory said they can provide that skin? It is specific to '66 and '67 Fs only. No other Mooney. In addition, your repairs are pretty much standard GA aircraft repairs. A MSC isn't really required, just a good sheet metal guy. I might try asking on the AOPA forums and the POA forums as well as here for recommendations for good sheet metal work not to far from you.

 

Other ways to save- They want to send your elevator out for re-skin. Don't. Just replace with a good used one. Much cheaper. Also I see no reason to remove and cover your step unless you want to. The little fairing that goes on the bottom of the step is super easy to make, or pretty cheap to buy used. Install it and make sure your step properly retracts and you would them be within the certification for your plane. Much cheaper than removal and fabricating a patch.

 

The wings are the bigge. I bet those dent removal guys can take care of the dents so that skin won't need replacement, but sadly, the cracked outer one and the corroded one probably have to be. The skins themselves don't cost all that much, but the labor does.

Posted

The high price may also be the shop saying they don't want to get involved. With the title of this thread, and being almost assured that you are going to be drug into whatever legal action happens as well as possible a unwanted visit from the FSDO I know a lot of A&P's who would pass on this job.

  • 2 months later...
Posted

Been reading the thread with much interest because of the experience I recently had with the FAA after the unpleasant interaction I had with Homeland Security in KNEW.  Without a doubt, the FAA is yet another example of the power over us that government has--whether it be appropriate or inappropriate.  Whether it truly be in the best interest of the pulbic or just harassment by people that use the power because they can.

 

Cheers,

 

Rocky

 

Yes.

 

post-7931-0-64328000-1416868826_thumb.jp

  • 1 month later...
Posted

A few of you may have noticed in the wanted ads that I am looking for a few parts so at long last I am posting a useful update to this thread--and dare I say it nearly feeling good about my prospects for being back in the air very soon.

 

The plane is now in what I believe to be capable and trustworthy hands for an annual and to repair these discrepancies.

 

At least in my book, he has already made some terrific progress, and I've been overly impressed with his zeal for this task.

  • Like 6
Posted

Every airport has a few planes that are on the ramp without engines, flat tires, etc. In short non-airworthy condition. You don't see the FAA giving them a call demanding you bring their logs. So there has to be more to this story.

Hi no but they do write them up and ground them. We have a Tiger that has sat for as long as I can remember at 06C with flat tires and a broken rear window. The back seat is filled with papers from FAA grounding the plane (along with bird nests, rat nests, and a lot of droppings and other interesting things).

  • 1 month later...
Posted

A few of you may have noticed in the wanted ads that I am looking for a few parts so at long last I am posting a useful update to this thread--and dare I say it nearly feeling good about my prospects for being back in the air very soon.

 

The plane is now in what I believe to be capable and trustworthy hands for an annual and to repair these discrepancies.

 

At least in my book, he has already made some terrific progress, and I've been overly impressed with his zeal for this task.

Jeff,

 

I'm a new member and just read through this thread today.  Wondering if you have an update and/or pictures of the repairs in progress?  

 

Hoping you can be flying soon.

 

Tom

Posted

A few of you may have noticed in the wanted ads that I am looking for a few parts so at long last I am posting a useful update to this thread--and dare I say it nearly feeling good about my prospects for being back in the air very soon.

 

The plane is now in what I believe to be capable and trustworthy hands for an annual and to repair these discrepancies.

 

At least in my book, he has already made some terrific progress, and I've been overly impressed with his zeal for this task.

 

That is so awesome! I am so glad you didn't just toss in the towel and parted her out as many would have. Definitely keep us updated!

  • Like 1
Posted

That is so awesome! I am so glad you didn't just toss in the towel and parted her out as many would have. Definitely keep us updated!

 

agreed.  glad to see you trying to keep the plane up and running.  

Posted

The final update in super short: I have the plane back. Everything is ok. It is also in a hangar now.

 

Maybe I'll cruise by the hangar today and take a couple of pictures.

 

An elevator was replaced, dings were removed in accordance with 43.13, and paint thinner was applied to the data plate. An odd spot where the wing had previously been repaired incorrectly that wasn't reported by the FAA was fixed correctly. An annual was done.

 

Finding the right person do to the work is what owning an airplane really comes down to, it was really a non-issue once that occured.

  • Like 7
Posted

The final update in super short: I have the plane back. Everything is ok. It is also in a hangar now.

 

Maybe I'll cruise by the hangar today and take a couple of pictures.

 

An elevator was replaced, dings were removed in accordance with 43.13, and paint thinner was applied to the data plate. An odd spot where the wing had previously been repaired incorrectly that wasn't reported by the FAA was fixed correctly. An annual was done.

 

Finding the right person do to the work is what owning an airplane really comes down to, it was really a non-issue once that occured.

 

Awesome! How'd you get the dings out? Did you use that magnetic dent removal system, or did you just push them out from the inside somehow?

Posted

The final update in super short: I have the plane back. Everything is ok. It is also in a hangar now.

 

Maybe I'll cruise by the hangar today and take a couple of pictures.

 

An elevator was replaced, dings were removed in accordance with 43.13, and paint thinner was applied to the data plate. An odd spot where the wing had previously been repaired incorrectly that wasn't reported by the FAA was fixed correctly. An annual was done.

 

Finding the right person do to the work is what owning an airplane really comes down to, it was really a non-issue once that occured.

 

 

The wing tip that exhibited some corrosion looked to me like someone had tried to rework it.  I have seen wingtips that look like that before, but only after the body filler fell out. 

 

Glad all of this is behind you!

Posted

I appreciate all the support, having an outlet to bitch where people aren't like, 'STFU you are whining about a plane that you own' is also helpful.

 

I did not make it to the hangar yesterday, but I will eventually. I will also photograph and trace out the dreaded "Step Fairing" for everyone.

 

I hope to get around this spring and summer and start meeting some of you all in person.

  • Like 2

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