Would this plane have flown?

My guess is yes - but seriously out of trim for sure. I'd do an empty
trip around the pattern for evaluation. Assuming the handling is
tolerable, load up but keep the speed down.

This is a case where it is really not correct to simply rely on an A&P
mechanic for such a decision. The training they receive doesn't really
include the consequences of aerodynamic variences although their
experience may be very valuable. It really is a situation where the
judgements and experiences of other pilots etc is as valid as any A&P
could give. I definitely don't want to put A&Ps down, but they don't
walk on water - they are only human in their ability to evaluate.

I think....

If YOU are going to fly it, I'll bet $10 you'd have no problems.

Buuuuuuuut, I'M not going to try! ;)

Robert M. Gary wrote:
http://www.thegaryhouse.com/aircraftdamage/

I was down in a remote area of Mexico this last weekend and a truck
backed into my aileron. I was lucky that the driver had a sat phone and
I was able to call an A&P to come down to Mexico and swap it for me.
However, all the local pilots, and the A&P who came down seemed to
think it would have flown ok as was. From a simply academic point of
view I"m curious what you guys think.

-Robert

Robert,
It would have flown, poorly. You would have had to hold right aileron to
keep it strait. High speed characteristics would be un-known.

You did the right thing getting replaced.

Michelle (A&P)

Your alive so you must of made the right decision.
Who cares if it would of flown. You were able to fix it before you flew it.
Good job.
"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...
http://www.thegaryhouse.com/aircraftdamage/

I was down in a remote area of Mexico this last weekend and a truck
backed into my aileron. I was lucky that the driver had a sat phone and
I was able to call an A&P to come down to Mexico and swap it for me.
However, all the local pilots, and the A&P who came down seemed to
think it would have flown ok as was. From a simply academic point of
view I"m curious what you guys think.

-Robert

Robert M. Gary wrote:
http://www.thegaryhouse.com/aircraftdamage/

I was down in a remote area of Mexico this last weekend and a truck
backed into my aileron. I was lucky that the driver had a sat phone and
I was able to call an A&P to come down to Mexico and swap it for me.
However, all the local pilots, and the A&P who came down seemed to
think it would have flown ok as was. From a simply academic point of
view I"m curious what you guys think.

Nowadays I'd wait for repairs but a neighbour spent 5 years driving
various two and four engined bombers over Occupied Europe and had a
series of photos of just how little you -really- need in the way of
contol surfaces

"george" wrote

Nowadays I'd wait for repairs but a neighbour spent 5 years driving
various two and four engined bombers over Occupied Europe and had a
series of photos of just how little you -really- need in the way of
contol surfaces

THEY had no choice, but to fly back home, while they were hit over enemy
territory. This fella did have a choice.

My take on it? He got lucky, and I'm glad he did.

I would say the chance of having a problem is low, less than 10%, most
likely. That means if 10 guys got hit like he did, one would not make it
home. Put in those terms, would you want to be that 1 out of 10? Even if
it was 1 out of 100, it would be too high, when there is a choice.

If it were me, I would have done as detailed inspection (removing access
covers, whatever) as possible. Perhaps, I even would have disconnected that
side at the yoke, or first belcrank, and bolted that aileron stationary.
Flutter scares the crap out of me.

Whatever, I would not have made any decision's based on what the insurance
company said.
--
Jim in NC

I don't think you would want to EVER disconnect a control surface. Do
others know more about this?

I don't think you EVER want to disconnect a control surface or even a
trim tab. Any Aero engrs out there want to comment?

On 2006-03-23, Morgans wrote:
Flutter scares the crap out of me.

I would strongly doubt (based on what I know) that there was even the
remotest chance of flutter. From what I understand, flutter would
require the flexing of the wing structure in such a way to cause the
whole thing to oscillate. This happens with experimental airframes (or
used to happen) because the whole surface or wing would warp under
aerodynamic loads in such a way that you'd get the oscillation. A dent
in a Mooney aileron isn't going to cause that.

--
Dylan Smith, Port St Mary, Isle of Man
Flying: http://www.dylansmith.net
Oolite-Linux: an Elite tribute: http://oolite-linux.berlios.de
Frontier Elite Universe: http://www.alioth.net

In article ,
says...
On 2006-03-23, Morgans wrote:
Flutter scares the crap out of me.

I would strongly doubt (based on what I know) that there was even the
remotest chance of flutter. From what I understand, flutter would
require the flexing of the wing structure in such a way to cause the
whole thing to oscillate. This happens with experimental airframes (or
used to happen) because the whole surface or wing would warp under
aerodynamic loads in such a way that you'd get the oscillation. A dent
in a Mooney aileron isn't going to cause that.

Yes it could - seen it for myself first hand - significant further
deteriotion occurred in-flight as a result of the flutter (that the
pilot could feel) - the pilot was very relieved to be on the ground
again - and won't be repeating the experience (why he didn't choose to
land at one of the several alternatives, we'll never know).

--
Duncan