Cracked Flap

[Mschwarzkopf]

The left flap on my 170A has a crack, about 2 - 3 inches long that was previously stop-drilled 4 times. It is located on the shear webbing/U-channel right at the inboard hinge. Over the past year, the crack hasn't propagated any further past the last stop-drill. I've been real conservative on flap speeds and limited only to 30 deg. Hopefully this has helped to keep the loads down to a minimum. But now it's time to fix it so I can stop worrying about it.

I've been keeping an eye out for a good used flap, but haven't found any. My IA has suggested having the flap rebuilt, as he thinks putting a doubler on may be more work and more expensive than having it rebuilt/painted. He has suggested Airframe Components by Williams, Inc. in IN. I hope to get an estimate from them tomorrow. Anybody use them, or have a good control surface rebuilder in the Midwest?

I'm also curious if anyone has seen this kind of cracking before? The picture is taken with the flap full down; flap hinge on the right.

Thanks!
Mike

[Mschwarzkopf]

Quick update...

$1700 estimate from Airframe Components with primer only. Another $750 for paint!

Yeah, we'll be doing this ourselves.

[cessna170bdriver]

Have you called Del Lehmann at Mountain Airframe for an estimate to repair or rebuild?

[Mschwarzkopf]

Thanks, I'll give them a call!

[ghostflyer]

OMG, are they going to gold plate the flap at that price ? Maybe 250 dollars not painted .

[GAHorn]

My wings were rebuilt by Williams in IA and they appear good.

But my flaps were poorly done and corrected by Del, who did a masterful job.

[Mschwarzkopf]

Talked to Del today, what a gracious gentleman. $1200 with new skins if needed. If I were going to send it out, I would use him.

I started working on it today. Drilled out about 100+ rivets. Hopefully get the U channel separated this weekend, but with guests in town, not likely

[DaveF]

Guests? I've found 'em useful for bucking rivets.