wishboneash Posted February 10, 2013 Report Posted February 10, 2013 Hi all I had been having issues with my seat back not staying put and finally yesterday on a short flight the left side attachment (pilot's side) to the base broke off. Made for an uncomfortable flight back as the seat was in an awkward position with little leverage and support. I removed the seat after the flight to see if it could be fixed, but it appears badly damaged and seems like I would need sheet metal work to rebuild the base attach point. Can anyone recommend a shop that can do this (California?). If not, I may have to send it off to get it fixed. I am not sure if this is a job for an upholsterly shop. Thanks in advance for your advice. http://mooneyspace.com/gallery/image/33817-pilots-side-seat/ Quote
pirate Posted February 10, 2013 Report Posted February 10, 2013 To me it looks like a simple repair, any competent A&P should be able to to handle. 1 Quote
DrBill Posted February 10, 2013 Report Posted February 10, 2013 I agree with Pirate, My A&P would jump at the chance of some sheet metal work.. He likes that. Put a double on there and new bolt. BILL Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted February 11, 2013 Report Posted February 11, 2013 I wouldn't patch it, I would drill out all the rivits, remove the piece trace a new one and cut it out on my scroll saw ( I don't have a shear ). Use a hole duplicator and a bunch of clecos, should take a couple of hours. Or you could spend the big bucks and order the piece from Mooney Pn# 140153-005. 1 Quote
wishboneash Posted February 11, 2013 Author Report Posted February 11, 2013 Thanks for all the replies. I am grounded till I fix this. Will talk to the local guys first. The airframe has over 7000 hrs and the seats definitely have been through a lot. Quote
OR75 Posted February 11, 2013 Report Posted February 11, 2013 the pilot and copilot seats are obviously interchangeable so just no passenger Quote
1964-M20E Posted February 11, 2013 Report Posted February 11, 2013 I have two pilot seats and two passenge seats from a 64 and 65 E models if you are interested. Let me know. Quote
KSMooniac Posted February 11, 2013 Report Posted February 11, 2013 I wouldn't patch it, I would drill out all the rivits, remove the piece trace a new one and cut it out on my scroll saw ( I don't have a shear ). Use a hole duplicator and a bunch of clecos, should take a couple of hours. Or you could spend the big bucks and order the piece from Mooney Pn# 140153-005. This is exactly what I would do. That is fun and fairly simple sheet metal work from the looks of it... no contour to duplicate! Quote
N601RX Posted February 11, 2013 Report Posted February 11, 2013 If I remember correctly the FAA considers seat repairs like this to be a major repair. Quote
KSMooniac Posted February 11, 2013 Report Posted February 11, 2013 That very likely could be true, and it will be up to an IA to determine if such a repair is major or minor. That doesn't change the fact that it should be easy to accomplish, though, but it certainly is important to flight safety! If that broke during a takeoff roll right at liftoff the results could be awful. Quote
OR75 Posted February 12, 2013 Report Posted February 12, 2013 reminds me of the Cessna's seat rail ADs saga. I believe they ended up with a seat belt under the seats Quote
wishboneash Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Posted February 12, 2013 I have two pilot seats and two passenge seats from a 64 and 65 E models if you are interested. Let me know. Thanks, but trying to explore some simpler options first. I am having it looked at right now, possibly get the base structural piece from salvage. Seems simple enough to fix but I want it done right and never have to be touched again. Quote
Alan Fox Posted February 12, 2013 Report Posted February 12, 2013 It is going to be less expensive to buy a used seat , They are readily available.... I just sold a set for 200.00 ......I wish I had one to sell you... Quote
wishboneash Posted March 4, 2013 Author Report Posted March 4, 2013 I got my fixed seat back in my plane yesterday. Had it repaired by a metal shop specializing in aluminium structural welding. Did a good job. Lot cheaper than replacing the whole seat. Thanks to all those who tried to help. Quote
rbridges Posted March 4, 2013 Report Posted March 4, 2013 if you don't mind my asking, how much did they charge? I'd like to know just in case it happens to me. Quote
N601RX Posted March 4, 2013 Report Posted March 4, 2013 When you weld any of the heat treated aluminum alloys you loose 1/3 of the strength in the area that is affected by the heat. Its refered to HAZ= Heat Affected Zone. Quote
KSMooniac Posted March 4, 2013 Report Posted March 4, 2013 Was that an aircraft repair shop, or just a generic welding shop? I'm not sure welding is a suitable repair for that damage, and you probably need coverage from AC43.13 or perhaps a field approval. Quote
wishboneash Posted March 5, 2013 Author Report Posted March 5, 2013 Noted. Thanks for raising your concerns on the repair. The cost was under $200. Quote
PTK Posted March 7, 2013 Report Posted March 7, 2013 From a safety perspective I would relegate this seat to the copilot side. Another good idea and somewhat related, would be to interchange pilot & copilot seats periodically. Keeps rollers wearing evenly on the rails. I do this at every annual. Quote
Alan Fox Posted March 7, 2013 Report Posted March 7, 2013 From a safety perspective I would relegate this seat to the copilot side. Another good idea and somewhat related, would be to interchange pilot & copilot seats periodically. Keeps rollers wearing evenly on the rails. I do this at every annual. Great advise Einstein..... That way if there is an accident , when it fails the person in the right seat has NO chance of surviving........Thats a great way to minimize risk..... Quote
RJBrown Posted March 7, 2013 Report Posted March 7, 2013 Great advise Einstein..... That way if there is an accident , when it fails the person in the right seat has NO chance of surviving........Thats a great way to minimize risk..... I don't think he was talking about putting the right side passenger at risk. The issue was not crash protection. The issue was keep[ng the pilot in position to control the plane. If the seat were to fail on the right side it would not affect the pilots ability to control the plane. This failure on the left side might mirror the dangers of the Cessna seat slide dangers. Quote
Alan Fox Posted March 7, 2013 Report Posted March 7, 2013 I don't think he was talking about putting the right side passenger at risk. The issue was not crash protection. The issue was keep[ng the pilot in position to control the plane. If the seat were to fail on the right side it would not affect the pilots ability to control the plane. This failure on the left side might mirror the dangers of the Cessna seat slide dangers. I know we disagree on things but this is insane , would you put your kid in that seat with a welded attach point!!!! Most people survive the accident , and die from head injuries.... Quote
PTK Posted March 7, 2013 Report Posted March 7, 2013 I know we disagree on things but this is insane , would you put your kid in that seat with a welded attach point!!!! Most people survive the accident , and die from head injuries....I'm referring to keeping the pilot in control of the airplane and in this particular case I'd do exactly as I suggested. Quote
fantom Posted March 7, 2013 Report Posted March 7, 2013 Crawling over the injured passenger may be difficult, 'smiles. Quote
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