PandaCub
Well Known Member
Greetings, all:
A few days ago my RV-14A was tied down on a Wyoming ramp under some pretty strong surface winds (30 knots or so). While I did have redundant gust locks in place (Airgizmos, Anti-Splat, and Pad-Lock), they popped off a few times and I had to reattach them.
Everything seemed OK on inspection this morning, but I noticed three curious dimples just about where the rudder might contact the elevator if the RV-14 rudder stop weren't in place (see Photo 1 attached). As it is, the rudder stop prevents these surfaces from coming anywhere near each other (I measure a full inch between a pegged rudder and the elevator surface - see Photo 2).
For the rudder to override the stop and whack the elevator hard enough to cause these dimples seems unlikely, and I find no obvious sign of wrinkles/deformation/flex on the rudder.
I suppose these dimples could be totally unrelated (hangar rash, etc) but the location, shape, and circumstances have me very suspicious.
Opinions appreciated.
A few days ago my RV-14A was tied down on a Wyoming ramp under some pretty strong surface winds (30 knots or so). While I did have redundant gust locks in place (Airgizmos, Anti-Splat, and Pad-Lock), they popped off a few times and I had to reattach them.
Everything seemed OK on inspection this morning, but I noticed three curious dimples just about where the rudder might contact the elevator if the RV-14 rudder stop weren't in place (see Photo 1 attached). As it is, the rudder stop prevents these surfaces from coming anywhere near each other (I measure a full inch between a pegged rudder and the elevator surface - see Photo 2).
For the rudder to override the stop and whack the elevator hard enough to cause these dimples seems unlikely, and I find no obvious sign of wrinkles/deformation/flex on the rudder.
I suppose these dimples could be totally unrelated (hangar rash, etc) but the location, shape, and circumstances have me very suspicious.
Opinions appreciated.