Looking for someone with experience to inspect a Decat with a wood spar in AZ

[Halhayden]

Is there anyone in AZ or nearby who has experience in inspecting wood spars?

 

[Bob Turner]

Nobody has "experience" until they actually detect a crack. You might do just as well by studying the photos and doing the inspection yourself. Rainbow Ron told me the Decathlon is not problematic, at least for the deadly compression cracks.

https://www.bellanca-championclub.com/articles/disappointing-wing-spar-ad

 

[Bob Turner]

Oh - this is opinion: there is not a mechanic on earth capable of inspecting all four surfaces of every square inch of these spars when examining a covered wing mounted on an aircraft. Even with these modern TV scopes.

 

[Halhayden]

We looked at a Decathlon with this horizontal crack (maybe) on the far outboard end of the rear spar. trying to determine how serious of an issue it is.

 

[Bob Turner]

I don't see it. Is it a scratch in the varnish? AC 43-13 has a section on wood spars.

 

[Halhayden]

We are looking at the horizontal line that is circled.

 

[Bartman]

what is the airframe total time and how much has it been used for aerobatics?

my current 150 hp 8KCAB has about 1100 hours total, the spars look beautiful but I've got loose nails at the front spar on two ribs on the right side. They were visible from the inspection plate just aft of the front spar strut attach point (had I actually opened it before I bought the plane!).

inspecting your own purchases isn't such a great idea, in my humble opinion/experience

 

[Bartman]

We are looking at the horizontal line that is circled.

maybe have someone move the wingtip around and see if the cracks opens up at all. also look to see if that line on the spar is inline with the nail holes, could be a scratch.

 

[Halhayden]

Thanks Bart - I agree with your thought of not inspecting our own purchases. That's why I posted that I am looking for someone in our area with expertise in this.

 

[Bob Turner]

Out here good mechanics are just refusing to do pre-purchase inspections. Buy it, they say, and we will do an annual for you.

I have bought maybe four Cubs, my Decathlon, two Stinsons, and a Mooney. I have also assisted on several other purchases - none have been problems. Just my luck, I guess.

 

[Tangogawd]

I've inspected a lot of wood spars. I'm not there to put my fingers on it. But that doesn't concern me. There is little to no stress on a spar at the outboard end of the wing. All the stress is at the the lift strut and fuselage mount areas.

Even in a ground loop, the spar end is perfectly fine, the compression crack occurs at the reinforcement plates at the strut.