The final chapter of 93A.What I learned after rebuilding and watching it get totaled!

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher

User avatar
cessna170bdriver
Posts: 4112
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2002 5:13 pm

Re: The final chapter of N9793A.What I learned after rebuilding and watching it get totaled!

Post by cessna170bdriver »

98C’s rebuild wasn’t financially justifiable at the time (2014), but certainly was justifiable sentimentally, at least to me. That said, in today’s market I’m probably somewhat ahead.
IMG_1999.jpeg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Miles

“I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less.”
— Thomas Browne
User avatar
RCoulter
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Sep 26, 2023 9:22 pm

Re: The final chapter of N9793A.What I learned after rebuilding and watching it get totaled!

Post by RCoulter »

cessna170bdriver wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2024 2:27 am 98C’s rebuild wasn’t financially justifiable at the time (2014), but certainly was justifiable sentimentally, at least to me. That said, in today’s market I’m probably somewhat ahead.

IMG_1999.jpeg
I would have loved to buy it back and rebuild it. Your plane looks amazing. Probably will end up a decision I wished would have made differently. But in the end I did what worked best for me. Thanks for sharing!
1948 C170 Ragwing (The Silver Cessna)
SN: 18515
User avatar
DaveF
Posts: 1562
Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2007 1:44 am

Re: The final chapter of N9793A.What I learned after rebuilding and watching it get totaled!

Post by DaveF »

Miles would be a hard act to follow. He's the hero of "keeping 'em flying"!
Last edited by DaveF on Sun Oct 06, 2024 7:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
mit
Posts: 1067
Joined: Wed May 01, 2002 1:54 am

Re: The final chapter of N9793A.What I learned after rebuilding and watching it get totaled!

Post by mit »

cessna170bdriver wrote: Wed Sep 25, 2024 2:27 am 98C’s rebuild wasn’t financially justifiable at the time (2014), but certainly was justifiable sentimentally, at least to me. That said, in today’s market I’m probably somewhat ahead.

IMG_1999.jpeg

That is freaking amazing! You did good!
Tim
c170b53
Posts: 2560
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2002 8:01 pm

Re: The final chapter of N9793A.What I learned after rebuilding and watching it get totaled!

Post by c170b53 »

I remember looking at Miles aircraft once it was put into a hangar. Someone asked whether it was rebuildable and I remember commenting that it could be rebuilt but at a cost that exceeded its value. Met Del while he was looking at the plane whilst holding up his chin with his hand. Took a big leap of faith to make it happen but Miles had the heart and Del the skill. The result the finished product is worth much more than the pre-accident machine.
I constantly look at salvage sites hoping to find something worth working on but working on a project often means less time to fly. Sounds like the owner had figured out what was more important to him for his situation.
Jim McIntosh..
1953 C170B S/N 25656
02 K1200RS
User avatar
Fishsticks
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2022 12:14 pm

Re: The final chapter of N9793A.What I learned after rebuilding and watching it get totaled!

Post by Fishsticks »

Thanks for sharing your story. Terrible to wreck something that you had spent so much time on. Hopefully it was insured!

Question about the axles. Did you have hollow or solid aluminum axles? I've been debating replacing my solid aluminum axles for steel ones but... it seems silly since the ski axles are supposedly good enough. Your story may push me over the edge though.
User avatar
dstates
Posts: 505
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2019 5:50 pm

Re: The final chapter of N9793A.What I learned after rebuilding and watching it get totaled!

Post by dstates »

For those looking to purchase new hollow steel axles. I just purchased a set from Air Power. They had the best price I could find ($301/each).

https://www.airpowerinc.com/1441003-1
N1235D - 1951 170A - SN: 20118
User avatar
RCoulter
Posts: 21
Joined: Tue Sep 26, 2023 9:22 pm

Re: The final chapter of N9793A.What I learned after rebuilding and watching it get totaled!

Post by RCoulter »

Fishsticks wrote: Wed Oct 09, 2024 4:21 pm Thanks for sharing your story. Terrible to wreck something that you had spent so much time on. Hopefully it was insured!

Question about the axles. Did you have hollow or solid aluminum axles? I've been debating replacing my solid aluminum axles for steel ones but... it seems silly since the ski axles are supposedly good enough. Your story may push me over the edge though.
Funny as I just removed the wheels on 82V and they are solid aluminum axles. Not an expert but believe they were what was originally used for 170’s with floats or skis. I could be wrong.

I think I will be changing these to hollow steel. I have 7 tires and plan on doing a wheel and brake set for 8.5’s…I think I’ll switch them to hollow steel as I am a bit gun shy with the aluminum axles.

But I think the solid axles are fine. To be honest the hollow aluminum were fine…they just narrowed the margin of error in my opinion. A margin that shouldn’t ever be used…but as I saw…it can enter that realm quickly. I want as much strength in the system as possible.

And thanks…was insured. Bit underinsured but it worked out fine.
1948 C170 Ragwing (The Silver Cessna)
SN: 18515
Post Reply
Cessna® is a registered trademark of Textron Aviation, Inc. The International Cessna® 170 Association is an independent owners/operators association dedicated to C170 aircraft and early O-300-powered C172s. We are not affiliated with Cessna® or Textron Aviation, Inc. in any way.