Wing removal

[Alan Fox]

On ‎8‎/‎18‎/‎2016 at 11:19 PM, jetdriven said:

I feel sorry for the new buyers. You dont "graft new skin on the wing leading edges", you reskin that section. And tear down the engine. Which is why it was totalled. Which is why it was insurance auction and why Pressley bought it. I'm sure it was repaired correctly and is worth 60K.

This from the guy who was selling a M20E which was submerged under 15 feet of river water for a week, but "refurbished and completely restred the plane" including the G430 and Aspen.  He will kill someone someday, oh wait, he already did, his own son. But at least he got paid some money for it.

Actually you are referring to Jerry Pressley , not Brent , and in all fairness the crash you are referring to was caused by clogged fuel vents (mud dauber) if I am not mistaken.....

 

[DaV8or]

Just a total thread drift, but I wonder how the insurance companies feel about salvaged planes. I know in California most insurance companies won't give comprehensive coverage on cars, or trucks that have salvage titles.

[KSMooniac]

No such thing as a salvaged title with planes, though. If they're repaired well enough to pass inspection, then they're airworthy, right?

I've seen some auction listings where the insurance company removes the data plate, though, so there sometimes is a huge hurdle to a buyer trying to resurrect one.

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[Alan Fox]

7 hours ago, KSMooniac said:

No such thing as a salvaged title with planes, though. If they're repaired well enough to pass inspection, then they're airworthy, right?

I've seen some auction listings where the insurance company removes the data plate, though, so there sometimes is a huge hurdle to a buyer trying to resurrect one.

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Correct , no salvage titles...... Once the data plate is removed , the plane is trash.....

[Janderson1235]

Hello all,

Sorry to veer the subject from the salvage 201, but this thread was the only one with "wing removal" in the title. I have a 64' E and my mechanic just found corrosion on the lower steel tubular longeron and said he needs to remove the wing to do the quick weld job to fix it. He quoted me $13,000 to remove the wing and fix the corrosion. In reading this thread I saw that someone said that removing the wing is possible in a day if not two. So if that is the case, is $13,000 reasonable? Surely it does not take two weeks to hook the wing back up to the fuselage right? Thanks

[DaV8or]

5 hours ago, Janderson1235 said:

Hello all,

Sorry to veer the subject from the salvage 201, but this thread was the only one with "wing removal" in the title. I have a 64' E and my mechanic just found corrosion on the lower steel tubular longeron and said he needs to remove the wing to do the quick weld job to fix it. He quoted me $13,000 to remove the wing and fix the corrosion. In reading this thread I saw that someone said that removing the wing is possible in a day if not two. So if that is the case, is $13,000 reasonable? Surely it does not take two weeks to hook the wing back up to the fuselage right? Thanks

Whoever said they could do it in a day or two probably has never done it. A mechanic that has never done it before has a huge learning curve ahead of them. Of course as usual, the taking apart is the easy and quick part. It's the putting back together and properly rigging everything that takes time. Not to mention the building of any special fixtures to hold the wings, or fuselage while the work is done.

I think an experienced Mooney shop can have it done in under a week if it is a priority for them. For a one man shop that has never done it before, I can see it taking over a week. Of course I have never done it either, but I have seen the wings off, I have talked to mechanics that have put the wings on and I have now done a fair amount of work on my own plane and I can imagine the huge job it would be.

I truly sympathize with your horrible situation. You really have to decide what this particular plane is worth to you. I doubt you will find a shop that will do this repair for much less and if you do, I would really scrutinize their credentials before agreeing to the work. The way see it, your choices are-

• Part the plane out, take your loses and buy another plane.
• Bite the bullet and pay what it takes to get professionals to fix it for you.
• If you are mechanically inclined and have a hangar, do the work yourself with IA sign off on the work.

I know if I were in your situation, I would be most inclined towards the last choice in this list, but given my mood and the circumstances at that time,  I might also pick any of the above. I'm so sorry to hear of your horrible news.

[carusoam]

First things first...

post pictures of the offending steel tube.

you may find out there are alternatives to removing the wing...

there are a few pictures of sheet metal removed and tubes being replaced around here somewhere.

Then update your avatar details Best you can.  It is easier to give advice when we know you better.

Good luck.

Best regards,

-a-

[DaV8or]

10 hours ago, carusoam said:

First things first...

post pictures of the offending steel tube.

you may find out there are alternatives to removing the wing...

there are a few pictures of sheet metal removed and tubes being replaced around here somewhere.

Then update your avatar details Best you can.  It is easier to give advice when we know you better.

Good luck.

Best regards,

-a-

I'm assuming that it's one of bottom tubes as they are most likely to corrode. In this case, pulling skins off the outside won't get you access. Likely he is correct, the wing has to be dropped. However, pictures are always nice.

[carusoam]

For anyone reading this thread....

Go here first....  the OP started two separate threads.   It is going to be a long one.  So leave the rest of the comments there...(please )