wing skin damage

[bd32322]

So I am looking at a 252 and it had its outboard wing skin replaced because of some collision with airport property during taxi - although the aircraft had suposedly no damage history. The work was done by a mooney service center - the same center that serviced the plane for its life. Unfortunately I do not know what caused the damage. I will have to talk to the mechanics who fixed the plane tomorrow.. but I was wondering would you guys consider buying a plane that had about a 2 foot wing skin section replaced?

 

What does that do for resale prospects I wonder...

[Sabremech]

Absolutely! Mine has had the the last skin at the wing tip replaced at some time in it's life. I wouldn't even consider it as a deduction  in the value of the airplane. I don't put as much emphasis on the marketing term "damage history". You'll find plenty of different opinions here, but as an A&P/IA it isn't that big of a deal.

[Shadrach]

inspect it and fly it, the rest is just emotional...

[gregwatts]

The question is......can you live with the "known" history? When I was searching for mine, the NDH endorsement was important to me. If you are taking the damage history into consideration, then. so will someone else if you decide to sell. That said.........beat the seller up over it and get a price that makes it right.

 

My opinion only!

[Shadrach]

DH has been discussed here ad nauseum. I fall in the middle.  I do not consider any incident that results in a repair a deduction. This does not mean that I'd not use it to negotiate as Greg suggests, I would! However, what would concern me is an incident that might result in "hidden damage". Any off airport landing that resulted in significant repairs to the airplane would make me wary. A simple gear up in 1987, or a minor ground incident with a car, tug or hangar door, not so much.  Is minor DH a negotiating tool? Sure. Does it really impact the condition of the plane? Not likely, but it depends.  Another thing to consider is that it is unlikely that many of the 20, 30 and 40+ year old birds have led pristine, incident free lives. What's more likely is that the repairs were not logged. Which is why so many of us say that DH is an emotional issue. I mean just because there's no paper work that says it happened does not change the condition of the airframe.  Buy an airplane on condition, negotiate based on the narative in the logs.

[bd32322]

thanks for your replies! My main concern is hidden internal damage - I am not too concerned about taking a deduction although I will bargain on it - just because when it comes time to sell it - the buyer will bargain the same with me.

[Sabremech]

The outer wing is an easy area to inspect. Sholdn't be a problem varifying that it's in airworthy condition.

 

[Ron McBride]

The outer skin on our wings is just high enough to hit airport saw horse signs.  Many times is a dent in the leading edge, and most will have it repaired by replacement.  I have seen this before. It is easily repaired.   Dad dit it, not me.

Ron

[mooneygirl]

That's right Ron, blame it on your Dad!  HA

[KSMooniac]

I wouldn't worry about it one bit so long as a competent inspector checks everything out.  It is highly unlikely it damaged the spar, and it is easy to check.  I wouldn't even lose sleep over it, frankly.  Un-documented forced-landing or gear-up damage as Ross mentioned is more of a concern, or a prop-strike that hasn't had a tear-down, etc.  

[DaV8or]

Quote: bd32322

So I am looking at a 252 and it had its outboard wing skin replaced because of some collision with airport property during taxi - although the aircraft had suposedly no damage history. The work was done by a mooney service center - the same center that serviced the plane for its life. Unfortunately I do not know what caused the damage. I will have to talk to the mechanics who fixed the plane tomorrow.. but I was wondering would you guys consider buying a plane that had about a 2 foot wing skin section replaced?

 

What does that do for resale prospects I wonder...