My hangar mate and I were trying to load my -6A onto a lift yesterday and sadly the elevator's trailing edge collided with a corner of the T hangar wall.... twice.
The damage looks mostly cosmetic save for a small crack about 1-2mm deep just next to one of the ribs. He applied a squeezing tool to mostly even out the deformity.
My hangar mate is an A&P, just finished building his -8 and recently flew it for the first time. He seemed to think it would be safe to fly but I should keep a close eye on it, and it may need to be stop drilled. The accident was my fault - it's my plane and I should have been paying more attention - but he very generously offered to help build a new elevator. I may take him up on it but in the meantime I want to be able to fly. Wanted to check with you all to see if you also think it's safe to take up.
I also might try to get a salvage part or something. There is an unfinished -6 tail and wing set local in Washington for sale on Barnstormers... I might try to buy the elevator from that guy and see if it fits mine.
Also wondering if I could/should apply a patch to reinforce it, or maybe weld it or something? I'm not a builder, open to suggestions.
Pictures attached
The damage looks mostly cosmetic save for a small crack about 1-2mm deep just next to one of the ribs. He applied a squeezing tool to mostly even out the deformity.
My hangar mate is an A&P, just finished building his -8 and recently flew it for the first time. He seemed to think it would be safe to fly but I should keep a close eye on it, and it may need to be stop drilled. The accident was my fault - it's my plane and I should have been paying more attention - but he very generously offered to help build a new elevator. I may take him up on it but in the meantime I want to be able to fly. Wanted to check with you all to see if you also think it's safe to take up.
I also might try to get a salvage part or something. There is an unfinished -6 tail and wing set local in Washington for sale on Barnstormers... I might try to buy the elevator from that guy and see if it fits mine.
Also wondering if I could/should apply a patch to reinforce it, or maybe weld it or something? I'm not a builder, open to suggestions.
Pictures attached
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