OK - I was able to upload the photo of the "sidewall crease," but only to the FILES section - the Photos section refused to upload (firewall issues). But it's in the Files, if anyone would care to view them and add any more comments about A. What might be the cause and B. Would it be an indication of structural damage, and C. possibilities for repair.
thx, chris --- In [email protected], "aksportpilot" <waxxat...@...> wrote: > > Well, I'm at work at the moment, and the firewall is preventing me from > uploading the photos of the part that we're talking about here - I will > definitely load the photos when I get home tonight > > Thanks again for all the great replies for the newbie > > Chris > > > --- In [email protected], Roy Stubbs <rstubbs@> wrote: > > > > To add to Chris' remarks, remember the Ercoupe is of monocoque > > construction. The fuselage skin supports some or most of the load. > > Wrinkles I think would be bad. > > > > > > > > ________________________________ > > > > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] > > On Behalf Of ALAN FAIRCLOUGH > > Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 10:51 AM > > To: [email protected] > > Subject: [ercoupe-tech] Re:New to Ercoupe Tech Group - Question Re: > > Fuselage Skin Buckles Fwd o > > Importance: Low > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Chris: > > > > > > > > You are not clear enough about where the slight buckling is; > > > > Two possibilities: > > > > > > > > A) It is the wing root fairing that is wrinkled. If this is the case, it > > can be repalced. It is not a structural component and has no effect on > > flying the plane. > > > > > > > > B) It is the side wall of the aircraft that is buckled and as part of > > the structure of the plane is usually buckeld because of a collapsed > > nosewheeel or similar hard landing. An A&P would have to decide if it is > > airworthy or not. > > > > > > > > As an important part of checking a coupe's frame for indications of hard > > landings here are a few things to look for: > > > > > > > > A) The bottom of the firewall can have some serious wrinkling which > > could indicate a nose in. > > > > > > > > B) The two sort of triangular panels under the plane between the walkway > > and the belly of the plane will show wrinkles indicating one of the > > wings being pused backwards or a MLG that hit something. Inspect the > > rear spar on the inside of the spar cap attachment for buckling. > > > > > > > > C) wrinkles on the wing root fairing which may indicate it has been > > damaged and sort of flattened out again to be re-used rather than > > replaced. Not structurally dangerous but a good reason to inspect > > further. > > > > > > > > D) Wrinkles on the top end of the tailcone are usually due to the tail > > being pushed down. only the bolts holding the horizontal stabilizer are > > approved push down points. These wrinkles do not relate to hard > > landings. > > > > > > > > E) Misalignment between the wings and the horizontal stabilizer. While > > the wings have a dihedral and the stabilizer is flat, seen from behind, > > the stabilizer height on both sides of the plane must match > > corresponding points on both wings. Wing angle has some minor > > adjustement at the wing attachment bolts but at most you can move > > wingtips up and down about two inches. A larger difference could > > indicate a twisted main spar. > > > > > > > > Alan Fairclough > > > > N87333 > > > > N94694 > > >
