Fri May 14, 2021 1:26 pm
#1846952
I've just been to view an aircraft that had potential for a purchase. For a range of reasons, it's a no.
On inspection, one of the main structural alu tubes supporting the empennage has a major crack running its length. I very definitely checked it was a crack; there is a clear gap where the tubing has split, running around 50 cm from the joint with the vert stabiliser. If only I could post photos, it would be clearer than my explanation.
I asked the owner about this and they were not concerned, suggesting it was probably just speed tape (which it definitely was not).
Although it's a no from me, I'm worried that I was right to be concerned and I do not want the owner (or future next owner) being involved in an accident if my concerns are valid. They of course might not be (and experience on this forum rather says so!).
So, what's the best way of nudging the owner on this? Very happy to chat to him later and raise it as a concern, but if they are not interested, should I just leave it?
More generally, what might cause a crack in one of the longitudinal tubes like this?
On inspection, one of the main structural alu tubes supporting the empennage has a major crack running its length. I very definitely checked it was a crack; there is a clear gap where the tubing has split, running around 50 cm from the joint with the vert stabiliser. If only I could post photos, it would be clearer than my explanation.
I asked the owner about this and they were not concerned, suggesting it was probably just speed tape (which it definitely was not).
Although it's a no from me, I'm worried that I was right to be concerned and I do not want the owner (or future next owner) being involved in an accident if my concerns are valid. They of course might not be (and experience on this forum rather says so!).
So, what's the best way of nudging the owner on this? Very happy to chat to him later and raise it as a concern, but if they are not interested, should I just leave it?
More generally, what might cause a crack in one of the longitudinal tubes like this?
Last edited by flyingearly on Fri May 21, 2021 9:12 am, edited 1 time in total.