Moone 201J with major damage history

[ArtVandelay]

Why? If the work has been done properly, (new belly panels, new prop, new nose gear doors and an engine tear down) the plane IS BETTER than it was pre-incident, as it has a one piece belly and a NEW prop and the engine has been looked at. There are incidents/accidents and there are gear ups. I would have zero issue buying a gear-upped plane THAT HSA BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED. What is the discount for exactly?

IF the plane has 500 hours on it since the repair, then you know its been properly repaired, if it has only has 10, then I would suspect maybe it's not.

[aaronk25]

Lots of good advice....one note regardless off damage......buy a plane that has flown a lot recently or discount one that hasn't. If it had a gear up but flys 100 hours a year it's had some time time for damage issues not repaired correctly to appear.

But really a gear up is a great buy. The planes look like they could be lifted up and flown. And they get lots of new parts!

How many people buy planes with little recent flight time and then the new excited owner flys it 100hours into the first year and the cam and lifters go bad and get imbedded in the main bearings and pistons and ends up junking the motor?

Buy a plane that flys a lot.......then fly it a lot!

[scottfromiowa]

O.K., Yes if a plane only flew 10 hours in a year it is off my list too, but not because of post GU repairs, from disuse.

[chrisk]

Why? If the work has been done properly, (new belly panels, new prop, new nose gear doors and an engine tear down) the plane IS BETTER than it was pre-incident, as it has a one piece belly and a NEW prop and the engine has been looked at. There are incidents/accidents and there are gear ups. I would have zero issue buying a gear-upped plane THAT HSA BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED. What is the discount for exactly?

 

I think the discount is expected for a few reasons.  

• For some planes a gear up can cause major airframe damage.  Your buyer needs to be educated enough to understand that this is generally not the case for a Mooney.
• The buyer wasn't there to supervise the repair, so it is harder for them to become comfortable with quality of the repair.
• And some doubt about hidden damage.

 

And for what it is worth, my plane had a gear up before I bought it.  My biggest concern was the engine, and if it had been properly inspected (or just pencil whipped).  Between the GU and my purchase, the engine had been overhauled at a reputable shop (and flown for a few years).  --At that point, a review of the logs documenting the airframe repair alleviated my concerns.

 

And another point.  From my experience in looking to buy a Mooney, there are many that have had a gear up.  Many times the current owner is unaware that it ever occurred.   Some big clues are a new prop around the same time as a 337 indicating a new belly.  --The FAA CD is very helpful in this area.

[N601RX]

I think I would prefer a recent gear up over one done a several years ago as long as properly repaired.

Pictures of the damage probably still exist.

You can talk to the mechanic who did the repair

Less chance of sitting for extended period.

Fresh prop

Fresh engine

new belly

[funk74]

Thanks for all the opinions. Even though a lot of people have varying opinions I think they are all valid and appreciated.

It gives you a different perspective to think about.