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dent in LE

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egp8111

Joined: 25 Mar 2010
Posts: 49

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 8:06 am Post subject: dent in LE

I'm considering the purchase of a model III.  It has a dent in the LE tube located about 9in. outboard of the strut attach point.  The dent itself is about 4in. long and approx. .25in. in depth.  What are the limits or concerns on this type of damage.

Tom Jones

Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA

Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 4:51 am Post subject: Re: dent in LE

There is an aluminum I beam insert inside the spar.  You should be able to see the heads of the rivets that secure it under the fabric.  It is about four feet long...just going on memory...and is centered about at the strut attach bracket.  The I beam probably goes a ways out past the dent.



You can get a look at it and have access for a bore scope by folding the wing back and/or taking a wing tip off. 



If it was I considering buying I would be concerned about there being any cracks in the spar or damage to the I beam insert.  I would also want to know how the dent was caused.



I would find an AI and pay them to do a condition inspection.  They could start at the dent and stop right there if it is not airworthy.  Then inspect the rest of the wing paying close attention to the spar to fuselage attach reinforcements, bolts, and fuselage lugs.

_________________
Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 5:59 am Post subject: Re: dent in LE

I have to agree with Tom. 



this is a structural component that is likely been compromised to some degree.  It should reduce the price of the plane  at least the cost of that repair alone.  A dent 1/4 "  deep  would take quite a sudden impact and that leaves to question what else got bent, broken or compromised. 



I would make sure that a qualified person checked it over prior to purchase. I don't think a AME  would sign off with damage like that.  It is a huge repair job. 

 Post a picture or email me one if you got one. 

KF 3 used price can range 10 to 20 k  with used 582

with 912  20 to 25 K  approx



I would take off at least  5 k for wing damage if that is all there is .  There are plenty of used kitfoxes around so don't feel  to pressured

Hope that helps,

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jdmcbean(at)kitfoxaircraf
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 8:58 am Post subject: dent in LE

Technically speaking the spar is no longer airworthy.

Fly Safe !!

John & Debra McBean

Ph 208.337.5111

www.kitfoxaircraft.com 

"The Sky is not the Limit...  It's a Playground" 



--

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:25 am Post subject: dent in LE

Technically speaking, nothing on an amateur built airplane is "airworthy"

but I agree with you, John, that it's definitely not safe and should be

replaced.



Noel



--

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

egp8111

Joined: 25 Mar 2010
Posts: 49

Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 1:00 pm Post subject: Re: dent in LE

thanks everyone for the information.  Is replacing the spar feasible ?  If its a really time consuming thing, maybe your time might be better spent on building a new set of model IV wings.

dave

Joined: 22 Sep 2006
Posts: 1382

Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 1:12 pm Post subject: Re: dent in LE

Huge job,

Un cover leading edge -- might be able salvage --likely not 

maybe more damages.

I would open up and see. 



to replace spar and have to remove each rib and riblet

 huge job.



I would me more than 2 thousand $ labour easily from me . Total bill could see 4 to 5 $ easily.



Model IV a faster wing, some say a model 3 will out lift a IV but look at my videos ............ you tell me   



model 3 have no aileron differential -- in my opinion a IV flys better.

Bette flapperon control and more useful than the model 1,2 and 3  flapperons. 



Like i said  --good prang like that -- might not be the only damage.



Lots for sale out there and without damage.

marwynne(at)windstream.ne
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 2:20 pm Post subject: dent in LE

I am in the process of replacing the front spar on my Model IV.  It is very time consuming .  One heck of a lot of work. Knowing what I know now, I think I would start from scratch ......... lots and lots of slow work removing the ribs with out damaging them.



MY 2 cents

Marwynne

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larry huntley

Joined: 19 Jul 2008
Posts: 149

Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 3:23 pm Post subject: dent in LE

I have thought that sawing out the sections between the ribs and then 

heating the remaining metal hot enough to release the structural epoxy would 

work. ????    Larry

---

_________________
Larry Huntley,Dundee,NY
Kitfox 4-1200 N234EE
EA81,AMAX Redrive Warp 3 blade

Tom Jones

Joined: 12 Mar 2006
Posts: 752
Location: Ellensburg, WA

Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 3:50 pm Post subject: Re: dent in LE

I salvaged all the usable hardware and wood parts off a wing and built a new one with two new spars.



A person may be able to replace just the front spar without disassembling the entire wing.



My opinion, if a person does not already have experience building a Kitfox wing or something similar...avoid attempting to replace a spar like the plague.

_________________
Tom Jones
Classic IV
503 Rotax, 72 inch Two blade Warp
Ellensburg, WA

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