Windstorm @ TTN

[jasong]

Hi all,

While I've only been a Mooney owner for a short while I've really enjoyed the information in this forum.  Unfortunately, it looks like I'll be taking a break from Mooney flying for a while.

If you didn't hear about the windstorm at Trenton Mercer Airport in NJ a couple of nights ago, it was a doozy.  Check out the Weather Channel video

http://preview.weather.com/outlook/videos/raw-wind-flips-planes-18826

Theres a pretty good shot of my Mooney (N9372M, its the one under the Cessna) at :24 into the video, and some more pics are attached.  In a way I'm hoping it gets totaled so I can move on and not worry about a plane with damage history.  If not, my friends over at Air Mods will be getting quite a bit of work   The entire tail is shot, left fuelselage needs to be replaced, left wingtip is destroyed, left wing is damaged, cowling is damaged and the windshield is broken.

Anyway, if it does get totaled I'll be back looking for some new recommendations about a possible replacement.

Thanks all, fly safe.

Jason

[MooneyMitch]

Very sorry for this.  However it all turns out, wishing you the best and please keep us posted. 

[DaV8or]

Oh man! That would be heart breaking for me. If it's as bad as you say, I'm sure it's a total. The value of vintage Mooneys is pretty low right now and parts and labor is as high as it's ever been. Hopefully your insurance is up to what it'll take to replace.

[AlexR]

I am based at JGG but fly to TTN once a month to visit family.  Have admired your Mooney more than once there on the Ronson ramp.  Very sorry and hope it all works out for the best.  I lost a plane in Hurricane Andrew, so know what you must be feeling.  If the insurance company totals it, you may get a chance to buy back some of your avionics of install in your replacement ride.  Good luck.

[N601RX]

It will be interesting to see how this is handled.  The Mooney was tied down and does not appear to have recieve any wind damage.  The damage appears to come from a plane that was not tied down as well and was blown into the Mooney

[scottfromiowa]

Damn.  That is a major bummer Jason.  I'm sure it will work out and you will be flying soon.  Keep us posted on how your claim is handled and what transpires.  I wish you all the best,

Scott

[carusoam]

Ouch, that is hard to look at....

Mooneys (and brand usually sit rock solid up through 50+kt winds.  Cessnas and tri-pacers have a tendency to pull out tie downs or break ropes.  (saw this first hand in spring near KTTN).

Who pays? 

[1] Insurance co. of Loose cessna? 

[2] Ins. co. of receiver of the loose cessna? 

[3] Ins. co. of owner of the tie down that allows the loose cessna?

 

Jason,

Fire up the trade-a-plane, let me know if you need a lift....

We have Leesh in town this weekend looking at Mooneys too...

Best regards,

-a-

[Jeff_S]

Jason's insurance company should be handling his settlement, whether that turns out to be repair or totaling the plane. Then they will make the decision as to who to go after, if anybody, regarding the other plane that caused the damage.  That's the way it usually works, anyway.

[scottfromiowa]

He is insured for wind damage.  The wind lifted the other plane and struck his plane.  He is covered.  The insurance carrier will likely subrogate for recovery from the Cessna owners carrier as his plane was either not tied down, not tied down properly or physically caused the damage.

[fantom]

Damn, Jason

The story did make the national news, and I was wondering in any Mooney's were damaged. Sorry it was yours.

We do have an employee of Falcon Insurance around here someplace who may chime in.

[DaV8or]

Welcome to the forums AlexR! Like the avatar!

[Mcstealth]

Hey Jason. What was the final verdit???

[jasong]

She was totalled...which is actually what I wanted.  Looking at building a new partnership in Central NJ to buy another Mooney

[Mcstealth]

Sorry to hear that, but good luck with your plans. Think BIG