Hi all,
A few days ago, I retracted the flaps (on the ground) and noticed that the motion stopped prematurely. What had happened is that a portion of the curved leading edge of the flap had gotten caught under the wing's trailing edge skin -- when the flap was retracted, the material bent about the aft-most rivet line.
This likely happened because someone leaned against the flap while applying new wing walks and because I missed it in the preflight.
I dropped the flap by disconnecting the flap extension push rod. In that position, I was able to reform the leading edge of the flap, and to remove most of the deformation from the trailing edge of the wing. There still is a slight bend (and bubble) in the skin that is difficult to remove, I think because it is backed by the aft spar.
Any advice on remedying this situation without removing the wing skin? Any advice on ensuring it doesn't happen again in the future?
Thanks,
Dan
A few days ago, I retracted the flaps (on the ground) and noticed that the motion stopped prematurely. What had happened is that a portion of the curved leading edge of the flap had gotten caught under the wing's trailing edge skin -- when the flap was retracted, the material bent about the aft-most rivet line.
This likely happened because someone leaned against the flap while applying new wing walks and because I missed it in the preflight.
I dropped the flap by disconnecting the flap extension push rod. In that position, I was able to reform the leading edge of the flap, and to remove most of the deformation from the trailing edge of the wing. There still is a slight bend (and bubble) in the skin that is difficult to remove, I think because it is backed by the aft spar.
Any advice on remedying this situation without removing the wing skin? Any advice on ensuring it doesn't happen again in the future?
Thanks,
Dan