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Hit and run; rudder damaged and repaired
I was hundreds of miles from home. I left my plane in transient parking for three days. When I returned to the airport, ready to fly home, I discovered that a high-winged airplane had hit the top of my rudder and bent it over. The pilot of the other plane tried to straiten the rudder and then left without leaving any contact information.
Besides substantial sheet metal damage, the spar was broken just above the doubler.
Several people at the airport offered to help. A few felt the rudder should not be repaired and were very alarmed at the idea. In the end I decided that I built it and I could fix it. With the help of a local pilot with a well equipped hanger and with material acquired with a quick trip to the hardware store the plane was repaired.
I left the rudder on the plane. The nose skin was removed and the sheet metal was pounded flat. Two aluminum angles were riveted to the spar to strengthen it and the nose skin was re-attached.
The plan flew 450 miles and got me home.
Now that I am home I can deal with the insurance and get the rudder replaced and repainted.
Steve
Comment
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Comment by Stephen R. Smith on April 15, 2010 at 2:07pm
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An update: My plane is insured thru EAA/Falcon and the policy is with Global Aerospace. I have zero deductible. I contacted Falcon this morning and an adjuster called me back with in two hours. I sent the adjuster pictures and a write-up of the incident. The adjuster has approved my repair plan. The plane will be repaired by Quality Sport Planes in Cloverdale California. Should be all fixed by the end of next week.
By the way, the plane flew just fine with the wrinkled skin. The ball was center just like always.
Steve
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Comment by Don Walker on April 15, 2010 at 11:34am
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Whoa...nice infield repair job Steve! I guess I had naively believed that aviators would hold themselves to a higher standard than a lowly 'parking-lot-hit-and-run'.
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Hello Rich,
The hinges showed no sign of stress.
Steve
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Comment by Richard Rost on April 15, 2010 at 11:14am
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Steve,
That's enough for a blood pressure spike. If it was bent like that how are the hinges? Glad you got home safe and sound.
Rich
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