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-   -   Wing leading edge dent (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=181101)

Lars 04-05-2020 07:23 PM

Wing leading edge dent
 
Helped a good friend weigh his pride and joy almost-done RV-14A today. In the process, an error chain got clanking along. Rolled off the scales and an errant wing jack put a big dent in the left leading edge. All of us present are well aware of what we did wrong, why, and how we would prevent it from happening again, so please, no verbal finger wagging or scolding. The owner is going to call Van's for advice tomorrow, but meanwhile, I thought I'd solicit input from any sheet metal wizards present.

As the photos below show, the leading edge of the wing bounced off the top of the jack as it rolled backward. It roughly t-boned the W-1009-L1 rib, buckling it, and leaving a nasty ding in the skin. Much of the deformed area around the dent looks like it could pop out if the deformed rib were removed. But at a minimum, that rib will require replacement. The question is whether the skin can be saved, and how (make wood bucks, pound out dent, etc).

The ultra-conservative approach would be remove wing, remove tank and wintip, drill off lower outboard skin, remove entire forward skin/rib assembly and replace, then reassemble (safest approach). Would like to not do that, if possible.

The pic of the rib, taken through the stall tab access hole, doesn't look bad, but the lower forward edge is creased and buckled badly. It's a goner.

Looking for constructive input, thanks all!








Carl Froehlich 04-05-2020 07:32 PM

I had to do a similar repair on my first RV - it slipped off the wing rack and the steel support brace ripped the leading edge.

So you know, it is not hard to replace the skin and the rib. For me start to finish is was only a couple of days. Considering this will be a many decade airplane, do it right now so you never have it bugging you down the years.

Carl

PaulvS 04-05-2020 07:39 PM

Setback
 
Lucky it is not yet painted and nobody got physically hurt.

I expect the skin will have to come off in order to replace the rib. And the skin appears stretched, so it will not pop out. Realistically I think he will probably end up replacing the skin. It's a question of whether this can be done without removing the wing, to help reduce the amount of work.

David Paule 04-05-2020 07:40 PM

First off, thanks for the good description of the accident and the excellent photos. They clearly show the problem.

I'm with Carl here. I'd probably replace the skin and rib. Might as well have it right.

Good luck with the repair!

Dave

DanH 04-06-2020 06:28 AM

What Paul said. The skin stretched, and it is very difficult to shrink tempered aluminum, in particular given limited access.

New airplane deserves a new skin anyway

RV8Squaz 04-06-2020 07:44 AM

It?s depressing for sure, but it?s not a terrible job to replace the rib and skin. A friend of mine had similar damage to the top side of the outboard skin. Maybe he?ll chime in here and write about his experience in replacing the skin.

As for me, the right forward side skin was damaged due to a pneumatic hose failure. It was an outward dent. I though about pushing it back in and filling the dent. For those of you not familiar with the RV-8, that skin covers the landing gear box, a very complex area with hundreds of rivets. I couldn?t bear the thought of sending my new airplane out for its first flight with a bondo repair. It was an easy decision.

Mike S 04-06-2020 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lars (Post 1419901)
Rolled off the scales and an errant wing jack put a big dent in the left leading edge. ------so please, no verbal finger wagging or scolding. -----I thought I'd solicit input from any sheet metal wizards present.

Guys, this is a request for info about repairing the damage.

The plane did not slip off wing jacks.

Stray rabbits removed.

Jpm757 04-06-2020 10:14 AM

So sorry to hear about your mishap, we all make mistakes. Since you are now quite proficient at sheet metal work, I would replace necessary parts with new and look forward to that first flight. Hope at least you got the bird weighed.

Bavafa 04-06-2020 10:34 AM

Heart breaking, especially at this stage.

I have seen some "dent doctors" do amazing job, they massage the dent out instead of banging it out and their tools reaches far out. They did a work on my mother in-law car that was virtually undetectable. I suppose it would be worth given it a shot and if did not work then replace the skin.

Stockmanreef 04-06-2020 11:25 AM

I know a local guy that dropped one of his rv-10 quick build wings and damaged the leading edge. I know that he got someone to come in and repair. I don't know if he damaged a rib or not. I can ask how it was repaired if you are interested. Send me a PM if you want me to look into it for you.


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