BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jan 2024, 15:01

In this instance, I have no idea. I thought it was a good (real) teaching moment.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jan 2024, 15:05

How long was it flying like that?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jan 2024, 19:17

Such a common area in old taildraggers to find corrosion

Not necessarily bad elsewhere, but a thorough inspection by someone familiar with the model is in order.

Unfortunately, a tail feather recover is the minimum at this point & that cost may scrap the plane.

Wonder if the nice new tailspring finally snapped the tube ... pretty short arm from bolt to tailpost bracket .... the big curve of broken fabric sure is a clear sign something moved.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jan 2024, 20:20

Username Protected wrote:

In this instance, I have no idea. I thought it was a good (real) teaching moment.

Assessing risk and ADM. It's a great teaching moment which should apply across all aspects of flying. Could someone have taken off and landed without incident in this particular airplane? Yes. Should they have? I dunno. It's kind of like asking it's dangerous to depart KPTK IFR with 1/8 mile visibility with no nearby landing alternates. I saw two NetJets pilots do it today. Did I? Nope. Did we all live? Yup.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jan 2024, 23:18

Username Protected wrote:

How long was it flying like that?

Since it got corroded.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jan 2024, 23:48

Username Protected wrote:

In this instance, I have no idea. I thought it was a good (real) teaching moment.

Was it also a Learning Moment for you Doug?
You got to look at the whole plane, we’ve only seen a little of it :shrug:

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Jan 2024, 23:53

That is the natural place for water to pool, and the reason Univair sells a short repair section.

https://www.univair.com/piper/piper-j-3 ... r-section/

The other place for water to pool is at the bottom of the elevator. The simple test is to gently squeeze the tubes by hand (no tools) to see if there is any "give".

Username Protected · **Posted:** 27 Jan 2024, 00:33

How could it have rusted? Just look at all that nice zinc chromate!

George

Username Protected · **Posted:** 28 Jan 2024, 09:24

The fish mouth welds forward of the rust is a give away. Plus the plate on the bottom and the diagonal flat plate to the tailwheel forward bolt square tube. This has been repaired or plated over before. Somebody knew before covering. But yes it does appear to be from the inside out.

If you look forward there is probably an opening at the upper wing attach fittings or windshield area where water is getting in and running down the longerons. The entire length of the lower tube sections maybe bad from the inside out. If totally uncovered to repair a few small 1/8" test holes to patch later going forward might be needed to be sure just to check wall thickness left on the bottom of the tubes.

1020 Mild steel tubing not 4130 on many of Pipers earlier frames.

Would You Fly?