Damage history question/NTSB records question

[NateZ]

 

 

A

[gregwatts]

N2600W shows as a 65 C model........accident happened in 67. Coincidental? Could be that this owner really did not know the previous history of this plane....or it could be that he was hoping you wouldn't know to check the logs. There is a 201 for sale right now in Texas, that the owner tried to tell me that the plane clipped a bush or something. I then showed him a report where his plane had an off airport landing with substantial damage. He then claimed he wasn't actually sure what had happened. Buyer beware!

[sleepingsquirrel]

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=2600W&x=18&y=13

This shows the serial # 3285

[NateZ]

Quote: sleepingsquirrel

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=2600W&x=18&y=13

This shows the serial # 3285

[N601RX]

All the aircraft that the N number ever belonged to will show up in the FAA database.  Scroll all way down to the bottom and they will show up as "Derregistered Aircraft" and it will have the date they were deregistered .  Here is an example.

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N601RX

 

[DaV8or]

I had something similar with my plane. Bottom line is, the online records and record retrieval is not perfect. I beleive the NTSB report for your plane in question is accurate. It's also likely that the current owner knows nothing about it and is not lying to you at all. If he has complete logs all the way back, they may tell the story.

A note about logs- The FAA does not require that mechanics or owners put in the log why work was done or parts replaced. Rarely do they bother to put in the log "Repaired crash damage" or anything like that. You have to read between the lines by looking at what work was done and what parts were replaced and deduce why the work was done. Also there is the illegal omissions like my plane has. I found an FAA report (not NTSB for some reason, they show nothing) on my plane that discribes a forced landing on a golf course after complete engine failure. In the report, they discribe how the right wing tip struck a tree on roll out. Now the logs show the engine being rebuilt, but no reason given why and there is no mention of the wing tip repair at all. However, the repair to the wing tip is obvious and clearly was done.

In your case, if you are dead set on buying a plane with NDH, then I would probably consider what you found accurate and move on. If you're willing to look, now at least you know where to look when you go initially and when you do your pre buy. Now you know just where to scrutinize the logs. The fact that this event happened so long ago and that it was a common gear up, says to me that the plane is no doubt just fine. It all depends on the quality of the repair and a good MSC can tell you that.

[NateZ]

Thanks guys. Hopefully will be able to see it on monday or tues, the only way to get the real deal on it. I think its gonna be a bust anyway, other details are potential negatives on this one, but its interesting and a good excuse to do some flying to see it!

 

Nate

[mooneym20d]

Just a follow up. I've had five Mooneys thus far and everyone of them has been a project (that's what I do, I need to keep them flying). I can tell you from experience that everyone of them has had some major issue that was repaired and not entered in the logs. There is this fear that "damage history" renders the plane worthless. Simply not the case. If the repairs are done correctly, as they should be, the plane should be as good as or better than before the repair. Any missing entries leads me to believe the reapairs were sloppy or the previous owner thought the value of the plane would be severely impacted. Bottom line is - A thorough pre-buy will find the sloppy repairs. If the pre-buy is excellent and there are no indications of repairs, I'd say, there's little to worry about. Lot of dishonesty out there with aircraft sellers.

[DaV8or]

Quote: mooneym20d

There is this fear that "damage history" renders the plane worthless.

[mooneym20d]

I'll "take it!" After I inspect it, of course. Nice pic BTW. I want one of mine in flight. Was that a close formation flight or zoom?

[NateZ]

I'm over the whole damage history thing. I'm somewhat new here, I have been on many forums, and have never seen so much arguement over the topic before. Its almost as rediculous as the arguements going on in the government. Damage history, LOP, running over square (not so much here but big deal in the piper forums), fuel bladders, ect ect u guys really get fired up/stubburn about stuff here. 

 

Nate

[DaV8or]

Quote: mooneym20d

I'll "take it!" After I inspect it, of course. Nice pic BTW. I want one of mine in flight. Was that a close formation flight or zoom?

[gregwatts]

Quote: NateZ

I'm over the whole damage history thing. I'm somewhat new here, I have been on many forums, and have never seen so much arguement over the topic before. Its almost as rediculous as the arguements going on in the government. Damage history, LOP, running over square (not so much here but big deal in the piper forums), fuel bladders, ect ect u guys really get fired up/stubburn about stuff here.

 

Nate

[jetdriven]

Funny thing I noticed is ther staunchest critics of bladders, LOP, or running oversquare have never tried it.  Their trusted 30 year A&P told them that bladders burst, LOP and oversquare burns up cylinders and they believe it.

 

BeechTalk is another good forum. People don't call each other socialists, liberals, or stupid. They also have some Bonanzas that have 2000 hours SMOH running LOP, oversquare, and pulling large amounts of power off.  Its good reading. They tend to believe data there, not some admonition from an A&P.