Baggage door will soon fly on its own in my 1962 M20C

[kommers]

I noticed that the baggage door does not completely close any longer, and is protruding somewhat. Upon inspection, we found that the right side of the door hinge is torn, the apparent metal fatigue. So far, the crack is about 2 inch long which is likely to expand with every cycle of the door opening/closing. Soon, the door will probably decide to detach itself from the plane during the flight and do its own gliding to the ground. I am not too good at DIY projects;  it seems like the door hinge is a part of the door itself, am I correct? If so, that means either baggage door replacement (a very bad idea) or repairing. The only way that seems feasible to me is to find someone who can do some micro-welding job in Atlanta area. Any other suggestions? I appreciate input of more experienced Mooney owners !

 

 

 

[M20F-1968]

The door is held on bay a piano hinge.  It sounds like one side of the hinge is cracked.  Pull the wire (pin) from the hinge, separate the 2 halves of the piano hinge.  Then, buy a replacement similar hinge (they are mostly standard).  Remove rivets to take off the broken side and install a new 1/2 hinge to replace the broken side.  Be sure to align the hinge so it fits into the other half when the door is closed.  Not too difficult a project.

 

John Breda

[carusoam]

John's response above is better than mine...

Take his ideas and share them with your mechanic....

My thoughts,

-a-

[kommers]

The door is held on bay a piano hinge.  It sounds like one side of the hinge is cracked.  Pull the wire (pin) from the hinge, separate the 2 halves of the piano hinge.  Then, buy a replacement similar hinge (they are mostly standard).  Remove rivets to take off the broken side and install a new 1/2 hinge to replace the broken side.  Be sure to align the hinge so it fits into the other half when the door is closed.  Not too difficult a project.

 

John Breda

 John, thank you for the information. One thing makes me uncomfortable though: the rivets. Removing them is easy, but putting them back may be a problem for me. Are they special type, special alloy, etc? do I just get them in a general hardware store or I need to find some "aviation type"?

[HRM]

 John, thank you for the information. One thing makes me uncomfortable though: the rivets. Removing them is easy, but putting them back may be a problem for me. Are they special type, special alloy, etc? do I just get them in a general hardware store or I need to find some "aviation type"?

 

Hmmmm....sounds like someone is working an airframe project sans A&P.

[Steve65E-NC]

Metal fatigue?? Maybe.  But more likely one of two other scenerios.

 

1.  If you do a power run-up with the door just  proped open, there are tremendous forces on that hinge that could start a tear.  It is easy to overlook that the door is standing open when you are focused on engine testing.  Been there, done that, no damage thankfully.  More scary than #2.

2.  One takes off with the baggage door unlocked it will rise up a bit and there will be large forces on the hinge.  Keep speed low return immediately for landing.  Been there, done that, no damage thankfully.  Now I never let that door be left in a closed, un-latched configuration.  

 

Could be #1 or #2 by previous owner.  Could be #1 from your last annual and maybe you should discuss that possibility with the facility that did the last annual.  When did you first notice it?  If just after annual, take it back. 

 

In any case it is not a big repair ( unless the door has been bent), but one that you should have seen to.  If the annual facility will not take care of it, you do need to have an A&P involved and have the repair logged.  Sometimes you can fudge a bit, but I would not do that on this one.  And, I would feel un-comfortable flying much untill repair is done.  I think the piano hinge is pretty standard and agree that probably only one side needs replacing.  

[DonMuncy]

 

Hmmmmm.....sounds like someone is working an airframe project sans A&P.

 

He is only asking so his hangar elf will know where to shop.

[N601RX]

There are 2 versions of piano hinge, look at the old one and order the same.  One is rolled from sheet and can be unrolled if pulled on hard enough.  The other is extruded and will not unroll.

[orionflt]

If you are going to replace one side, replace both. in most cases the hinge tabs have been worn over the years and the fatigue has been introduced to both sides of the hinge. as previously stated, not a hard job  but should be done by an A&P or under their supervision if you are handy and have the correct tools.

 

Brian

[RobertGary1]

Hmmmm....sounds like someone is working an airframe project sans A&P.

What's wrong with that. Perfectly legal and probably more productive. No regs says an a&p needs to supervise riveting.

[carusoam]

Things a PP can do...

This may help, I hope...?

http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/PIC-archive/Aircraft-Ownership/Preventive-Maintenance

Robert, would this cover it...?

"26. Replacement or adjustment of nonstructural standard fasteners incidental to operations. You are permitted to remove and replace nonstructural standard fasteners, which also includes the removal and replacement of screws or rivets used to attach fasteners. Remember that you must use the approved fasteners, screws, and rivets for your airplane. If you are one of those mechanically gifted people, have at it: drive those rivets. But if you like to put a square peg in a round hole, this may be a complex task for you. Leave it to the professionals."

Knowing if a door hinge is structural would be helpful as well.

Best regards,

-a-

[47U]

I'm a bit concerned that if the op completes this repair without supervision, the title of this thread may become a self-fulfilling prophecy. (No offense intended.) As he states, "I am not too good at DIY projects;" ... so, if you're reluctant to engage a local A&P for some help, ask one of the local homebuilders knowlegeable in metal construction. The RV Air Force seems to be everywhere.

[jetdriven]

That hinge is .052 thick and 1.5" wide IIRC and the standard hinge material won't work. It's .063 in that width. Mooney sells each half for 60$ because I bought one to replace my old crappy hinge when I changed doors. Anyways, remove the baggage area roof plastic, drill off the AN470AD-4-6 (AKA Ms20470) rivets. Insert new bag door hinge and be damn sure you got it where u want it, then drill, cleko and rivet. It's standard AC-43-13 stuff.

[RobertGary1]

Things a PP can do...

This may help, I hope...?

http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/PIC-archive/Aircraft-Ownership/Preventive-Maintenance

Robert, would this cover it...?

"26. Replacement or adjustment of nonstructural standard fasteners incidental to operations. You are permitted to remove and replace nonstructural standard fasteners, which also includes the removal and replacement of screws or rivets used to attach fasteners. Remember that you must use the approved fasteners, screws, and rivets for your airplane. If you are one of those mechanically gifted people, have at it: drive those rivets. But if you like to put a square peg in a round hole, this may be a complex task for you. Leave it to the professionals."

Knowing if a door hinge is structural would helpful as well.

Best regards,

-a-

You're referring to what you can sign off for as airworthy. The faa has no reg on who does the physical work. So just show your a&p what you did and get his signature in the book.

I just installed a new engine in my plane and I'm not an A&P.

-Robert

[RobertGary1]

Log entry would be like

"Owner repair of riveting foobar iaw Mooney manual. Aircraft returned to service"

Billy Bob A&P

(etc)as an example. Many ways you could write it.

[N201MKTurbo]

If you have never riveted, get some scrap sheet metal and do 20 or 30 until they look good before you try on the plane.

[M20C]

Find an experimental builder on the airport, or an A&P.  You will need a standard 1/2" (1"total width) aircraft hinge from aircraft spruce or scrap from the homebuilder, a rivet squeezer (which most A&P's, and all EAA home builders will have).

 

I repaired mine in about 30mins; better than new.

[stevebennett327]

Fellers, Nascar makes that new REAL STICKY duct tape. 4 pieces and you're done. No fancy riviting. easy di yourself project.

[mike20papa]

Years back, when I was first flying my A model, I once took off without latching the baggage door (?!)  I realized my error pretty quickly & drug the airplane around the pattern at about 500ft AGL & 80mph - the whole time all I could imagine was that door departing the fuselage & hitting the tail!  Then just to add to the excitement...on short final, the door closed with a WHAM!  I got out, inspected the hinge and swore I'd repay N8335E for my episode by replacing the original rolled piece of crap hinge with an extruded 2024T3 replacement.   Took me at least 4 hr.s ! -  you have to partially drop the headliner, match drill the hinge leafs (challenging! you must reuse the exist holes - or else just risk make things worse)  Then cutting the hardened steel hinge pin - takes a dremmel tool with an abrasive wheel.  If memory serves me...the hinge is machine screwed to the fuselage, rivets to the door.  My other blessing was that my flight was witnessed by only about 2 million pine trees - not a single human -  as I was at a small airport in East Texas!  Always discuss with your A&P/IA before you even think about it!