I am new to the group but have been flying for over 30 years. Sold my
piper a while back and have been looking at a c model coupe. During the
prepurchase/annual inspection the inspector found a cut in the forward
lower spar cap plate between third and forth nose rib from a hole saw
when the hole was cut for inspection. The damage seems to have been
done about eight years ago based on the logbook entry for the AD.
Can't imagine how an AP could screw up and cover up his mistake. No
excuse for such a mistake but its there. The IA will not sign the bird
off till a repair is made. The options seem to be to (1)replace the
spar (2) replace the wing or (3) repair the spar. The catch is the shop
submitted information to a FAA DER(designated engineering
representative) to get an approval and signoff to repair the spar the
rep came back with a letter saying it was an easy repair but estimated
his time/enginering calculations would cost between $1500 and $3000.
Seems a bit steep for me. Can get a replacement wing for same amount.
Anyone else familiar with this problem. Need info about the correct
repair and signoff approval especially any DER who has issued a previous
repair authorization
