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wingtip crack

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Clem Nichols

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 88
Location: Munfordville, Ky

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:17 am Post subject: wingtip crack

-----  Subject: wingtip crack



 



 I have just noticed a 12 inch longitudinal hairline  crack along the outside edge of the right wingtip on my Model IV 1200.  I  had originally thought it was just a scratch in the paint, but unfortunately  that's not the case.  I have no idea what could have caused this as the  wingtip has never struck anything at least since I've owned the plane.  My  question is, can this be safely repaired, or should the wingtip be  replaced.  It appears to be perfectly sound otherwise, and because of the  cracks location it wouldn't seem to me to be subject to a great deal of  in-flight stress.  I wonder about drilling a small hole at each end of the  crack to keep it from extending any further, and then using an epoxy glue on the  crack and epoxy filler on the drilled holes.  Does this sound reasonable  (ie safe)?  Any opinions/recommendations appreciated.

  

 Clem Nichols

    [quote][b]

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n85ae

Joined: 14 Mar 2007
Posts: 403

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:33 am Post subject: Re: wingtip crack

It isn't a stressed part, so there's really no reason you can't fix it. Just scuff the inside with some 80 grit. Get some T-88 in there, and flow it into the crack via a little heat from a heat gun. Then put in a layer or two of glasscloth behind the crack. Should be good as new.



I dropped one of my wing tips 4 years ago, and the trailing edge split. I put some T-88 in it, and taped it together til cured, and it still holding today.



Regards,

Jeff Hays

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Bob

Joined: 24 Oct 2006
Posts: 89
Location: Damascus, Maryland, USA

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:35 am Post subject: Re: wingtip crack

Assuming it's fiberglass, it's very repairable by patching from the inside.  The patch thickness needs to taper of in layers and within an inch of the crack need to be as thick as the original   FAA publication AC43.13 has good illustrations.  If've you've never done glass work, see if you can find some help, preferabley from somebody who knows the difference between working on airplanes and boats.

Bob

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fox5flyer(at)idealwifi.ne
Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:41 am Post subject: wingtip crack

Those tips are fiberglass with a gel coating on the  outside.  More than likely the crack is only in the gel coating and nothing  to worry about.  Fiberglass is pretty tough stuff.  An easy repair  would be to rough sand it, apply a 1" wide strip of fiberglass with resin over  it.  Sand, fill, and paint.

 Deke

  

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d(at)cfisher.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:54 am Post subject: wingtip crack

my  Droops tips are two piece and bonded  together.   I had one split on seam last year and I just put in  some 5 min epoxy and clamped  it together for  an hour.    Never come apart again. I would guess close to  300 hours flying since the  repair.

  

 If your  tips are easily removed , I wold take  off and add a piece of glass inside.   Mine are not removable  easily.

  

 Dave

  

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pwmac(at)sisna.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 7:49 am Post subject: wingtip crack

True gel coat cracks are not an issue. But, wing tips that did not get the lay up to join the two halves might present a problem. One must look inside to see if the inside lay ups are present. Mine had no lay ups and were just bonded together with epoxy. I believe others found the same thing

Paul 

 

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Clem Nichols

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 88
Location: Munfordville, Ky

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:31 am Post subject: wingtip crack

Paul:



Thanks to you and the others who have responded to my question.  I think you 

have hit the nail on the head, and that's exactly what I intend to do, 

remove the wingtip, and see what it looks like on the inside.



Clem

---

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84KF
Guest

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:00 am Post subject: Re: wingtip crack

Clem,

Excellent decision.

Not that any defect or flaw will be detected,  but we do have individual responsibilities.



§ 91.7   Civil aircraft airworthiness.



"(b) The pilot in command of a civil aircraft is responsible for determining whether that aircraft is in condition for safe flight. The pilot in command shall discontinue the flight when unairworthy mechanical, electrical, or structural conditions occur."



steve

http://84kf.blogspot.com/

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