Bent tie down ring

[FloridaMan]

I went to take off this evening after leaving my airplane at an FBO in western NC and found my tie down ring bent like this. It was around sunset and, though I needed to get back to Tampa tonight, it would be dark by the time I inspected the rest of the aircraft. I was not about to take off at night, in the mountains with the extent of damage unknown. The tie downs are the generic loops that I picked up from Lowe's or Home Depot and I only insert them when I'm going to be tied down on the ramp somewhere. I spoke with the previous owner and a(n) MSC and both stated that the tie down is not connected directly to the spar and if it were intact and could be removed, that there was likely not any wing damage. My concern is what could have caused it and if there's anywhere I should look for additional damage.

The lady at the front desk said that the line guy wanted to note that there was nosewheel damage as well. The back of the tubular structure has always had some roughness to it, but I've never noticed it being bent -- nor tonight did it seem that way. It was dark when I went back out to look at the nosewheel and perhaps he was being overly observant -- or maybe they tried towing the plane and forgot to remove a tie down and wanted to cover their asses.

The damage thus far is that I elected to not take off and got a hotel room and all that I've discovered is a bent tie down ring, which may be the extent of it all. The FBO here is part of a large chain and, from my experience, is one of the better ones. What do I need to do before taking off? Should I pressure them to cover my hotel room for the night? Is there some sort of incident report that I should request from these guys?

[Cruiser]

well from the picture I would guess that that little bitty swivel and ring would have broken or at least distorted before that big heavy tie down ring got bent lit it is.

[Piloto]

I have seen this before and has been associated with someone jacking up the plane using the tie down ring. Typically when replacing a flat tire. The right procedure is to remove the tie down ring and insert a cone shaped jack point. If a cone shaped jack point is not available screw in a short bolt with washers. In the Mooneys the tie down point is a bracket attached to the main spar. If the outside skin is not deformed there is no damage inside.

José

[Steve65E-NC]

That is not a standard tie down ring or standard length. Looks like hardware store mild steel junk, hung way out in space. I think you could have bent it like that with a moderate push with just one hand. Not much to worry about in IMHO. Recommend, buy a set of Lasar's super tie downs with combined Jack Point and neat tail tie down. Their hub-caps are also good value and look great. We could be more helpful if we knew the model and year of your mooney.

[scottfromiowa]

That is not a standard tie down ring or standard length. Looks like hardware store mild steel junk, hung way out in space. I think you could have bent it like that with a moderate push with just one hand. Not much to worry about in IMHO. Recommend, buy a set of Lasar's super tie downs with combined Jack Point and neat tail tie down. Their hub-caps are also good value and look great. We could be more helpful if we knew the model and year of your mooney.

+1 Where did you get this piece of junk?(tie down ring) I have OEM tie down rings I will sell you. PM me if interested...

[FloridaMan]

It's a '67F.

I picked them up from the hardware store -- per advice from another Mooney owner. I was alarmed when the FBO said there was nosewheel damage as well.

The consensus is that they're junk and if OEM rings were distorted like this, then there would be cause for concern. I kindof like putting them in each time when I need them. Are the OEM rings like that as well? One thing another owner, having not seen the types of ring that I was using, was that someone with a damaged ring might have swapped with me on the ramp. It made me think that when I do get something better that it may be a good idea to mark them.

[rdav]

I had a bend in my OEM tie down rings when my plane rolled backwards after I'd tied it down. Had the structure inspected during my recent annual, and there was no problem in my case. Even so, I wanted to replace the original rings with the Lasar tie down/jackpoints and am very happy. The original rings are supposed to be removed for flight, but I was always concerned that I might strip the threads by inserting and removing them so frequently. With the Lasar rings, that problem goes away.

I agree with Steve65E-NC, the one that you have installed looks quite a bit longer than the OEM part. I suspect that it wouldn't take much sideways force to bend it like that.

[Marauder]

As for your nose wheel, the biggest issue, as you are probably aware of, is turning the plane outside of the tow limits while towing. When that happens it bends one of the down tubes on the gear. It is a known concern and problem. Could be that the FBO is aware of this and believes your plane came to them this way. If you are familiar with the problem, then finding the tale tell dimple is what I would be looking for. If you find a dimple, proving that the plane did not have it before you got there is hard to do.

I usually tell line personnel that I don't want the plane towed by a tug and make them aware my plane is not damaged when I brought it in.

[The-sky-captain]

My nose gear was damaged when I bought my plane but it was fixed on the pre buy. When I'm at an FBO and tied down I make it clear that I do not want my plane moved. Since proving new damage is a tough sell, I take a time stamped picture of my non damaged nose gear truss. Luckily I have not had any issues.

[thinwing]

Antaries..get the oem rings or the stainless ones with jacking cones from lasar...both are not that expensive...and I would suggest you ignore that "other Mooney owners "advice if he offers any other helpful tips on cheap aircraft parts...ie dont let him show you how he saves money on magneto breaker points by shopping at his local Briggs and Stratton small engine shop!!..KPC