Steve Pierce
BENEFACTOR
Graham, TX
While hanging out at Oshkosh my Dad and I were asked to look at a Tri-Pacer that had some questionable front strut attach fittings. It was interesting because the airplane belongs to the president of the Short Wing Piper Club.
He latter came by and asked us to look at it as well.
I knew he had left the airplane for several weeks after getting stranded by weather and figured it was tied down in a wind storm when looking at the damaged strut attach fittings. He asked me if I thought it was safe to fly and I let him know that I did not. Anyway, we got Univair to FedEx in some new strut attach fittings and new hardware and behindpropellers dropped off a nice collection of tools including a cordless Bosch sheet metal shear along with a 1/2" swivel socket and long extensions. My Dad and I were able to swap out the fittings at the owners parking spot in the Vintage area. Only real challenge was on the left side at the bend. Was hard to bend the fitting enough to get a socket on it.
After the fact I believe the fittings have been this way for a long time. Curious to hear if it flew any different.
He latter came by and asked us to look at it as well.
I knew he had left the airplane for several weeks after getting stranded by weather and figured it was tied down in a wind storm when looking at the damaged strut attach fittings. He asked me if I thought it was safe to fly and I let him know that I did not. Anyway, we got Univair to FedEx in some new strut attach fittings and new hardware and behindpropellers dropped off a nice collection of tools including a cordless Bosch sheet metal shear along with a 1/2" swivel socket and long extensions. My Dad and I were able to swap out the fittings at the owners parking spot in the Vintage area. Only real challenge was on the left side at the bend. Was hard to bend the fitting enough to get a socket on it.
After the fact I believe the fittings have been this way for a long time. Curious to hear if it flew any different.