Dent In Rudder

[rdockery_3]

I took this picture other day. The rudder was like this when I bought the plane and I've wondered how it happened. Is it possible that the stabilator came up and hit the rudder from a gust or something? Doesn't seem like it could get that far without breaking or bending something.

New photo · Saturday, Nov 22 📸

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[jsalley]

My rudder bent sort of like that during my build when I accidentally crawled into the tailcone to do something and forgot to put a support under the tail. The tail (with stabilator attached but no fairing) went down and hit the floor in slow motion. No other damage. I removed the rudder and reskinned it - not that difficult to do.

 

[seagull]

The rudder will dent very similar to that if a gust of wild slams it up against the stop. The TE of the rudder will have enough energy that it will bend the skin. Van’s added a vertical rib midway in the later kits.

 

[rdockery_3]

I have been flying the plane like this. Wouldn't be an airworthiness issue would it? A&P that did my annual never said a word about it.

 

[rcarsey]

I had that happen to me due to a gust of wind banging it against the stop. The plane was still unpainted, so I removed the skin, added the R-01211 stub spar, and put a new skin on. If it happened after it was painted.. ahhh.. I'd probably have just left it, or try to bang it out somehow.

 

[Ironflight]

I have been flying the plane like this. Wouldn't be an airworthiness issue would it? A&P that did my annual never said a word about it.

Honestly, I’d send a picture like that to Van’s and get an engineering judgment on it. Don’t depend on a bunch of us random people on the internet for a structural question like that.

 

[SPRV12]

I’ve worked on a lot of airplanes, certified and experimental, with similar hangar rash. If the skin is not cracked or bent to the point that straightening will cause more damage, leave it alone and monitor it. If it is on a control surface, such as the rudder, and it causes a change in control deflection in flight, consult the manufacturer for guidance. Looking at the image, I would inspect during preflight and monitor for excessive rudder input in cruise.

 

[DaleB]

Mine was bent like that when I bought it. I managed to get it about 90% straight using a pair of seam pliers. I drilled out enough rivets to let me work on the area that needed straightening, got it as straight as I could, and re-riveted it.

 

[flightdoc101]

Prevention is the best "cure". I always blocked the rudder with the tow bar, even for lunch. Only takes a minute and additionally sets the brakes.