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Ford 9N, 2N & 8N Discussion Forum
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O/T Fire in the hanger

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Richard Fazio

10-05-2006 17:36:53




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Ok guys I've got one for you. I posted here hoping Dell would read it. I know you have an aviation background. I've got a kit plane I'm building, an RV-6. It was done and out at the airport waiting for it's final inspection. This after 9 years in the works. We had a fire at the hanger. A moped with a shorted out battery went up in flames. It took out a few things and damaged my plane. Mostly smoke damage which I can clean up. It's a low wing all aluminum plane. I'm concerned about the aluminum skins. The windshield is plexi glass and it softened and saged in. The cowling is a honeycombed fiberglass and it bubbled slightly on the top. My wing tip lights have plexi lenses, they saged. Suppossidly plexiglass melts at 200 degrees. My question is would that kind of heat on the 2024-T3 skins for about 10 minutes change the temper? The aircraft kit manufacturer is staying as far away as they can. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

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Old Ford user

10-07-2006 19:15:13




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 Re: O/T Fire in the hanger in reply to Richard Fazio, 10-05-2006 17:36:53  
Durn that is a real p*sser!!! What a waste

IMHO,, I would not attempt to ever fly that plane.. Sue someone, insurance company, who ever, write it off and start over..

Me things that plane is jinked..

BTW, yes I used to fly and I would be very very leerys..



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Richard Fazio

10-07-2006 03:53:55




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 Re: O/T Fire in the hanger in reply to Richard Fazio, 10-05-2006 17:36:53  
There are aerospace companies that do non destructive testing as suggested by gahorN. I'm bringing it to one on Monday. I'm having the wing skins, spares and fuse and tail feathers checked. The tops first, if we find anything out of spec we'll go further. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for the input.



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souNdguy

10-06-2006 05:33:18




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 Re: O/T Fire in the hanger in reply to Richard Fazio, 10-05-2006 17:36:53  
Wow.. sorry to hear that. Sounds like the moped owner and/or the insurance companies involved may now own a large portion of your plane and owe you a good bit of money for testing, parts and labor.

Soundguy



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dlplost

10-05-2006 20:59:32




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 Re: O/T Fire in the hanger in reply to Richard Fazio, 10-05-2006 17:36:53  
Takes about 860F for 20 min. then quench in water to change temper of your aluminum. We use 860F, and 920F to heat treat aluminum. At that temp your plexiglass and fiberglass would be gone..



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Empennage

10-05-2006 18:35:29




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 Re: O/T Fire in the hanger in reply to Richard Fazio, 10-05-2006 17:36:53  
Richard I really feel for you. All that work and you didn't even get to fly it yet? Has the airplane been inspected yet? Do you have a good IA that can take a look at it? Have you called the insurance company? Can you post some pictures? How long was the airplane exposed to the fire and was the fire in your hanger (community hanger) or was it in an adjacent hanger? Was the majority of the heat damage to the top of the airplane?

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Richard Fazio

10-06-2006 10:21:12




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 Re: O/T Fire in the hanger (PICTURES ) in reply to Empennage, 10-05-2006 18:35:29  
Empennage, The plane was inspected. My DAR did what he called a pre-final inspection. I did everything he asked for and was waiting for my registration to come through. The fire was put out quick. Within 10 minutes or so. The heat was from above. I think it's ok. The canopy saged and the cowling boubled a little. Plexi glass supposidly melts at 200. I'm going to have the plane checked out by a metal testing company that does all kinds of airospace testing. Here are some pictures. http://www.baycitymetering.com/planefire/

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Empennage

10-07-2006 06:53:25




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 Re: O/T Fire in the hanger (PICTURES ) in reply to Richard Fazio, 10-06-2006 10:21:12  
Thanks for posting the pictures. The metal looks ok but its hard to see wire insulation, fuel hoses, pitot static systems etc. What is the prop made out of?



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duey

10-05-2006 18:00:18




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 Re: O/T Fire in the hanger in reply to Richard Fazio, 10-05-2006 17:36:53  
Richard, I'm sorry to hear of your damage....

Based on your report, I might suspect the temperatures may have gone higher than 200 degrees. The aluminum skins can, I believe, be checked for the temper status.... in-situ... via eddy current methods.

I would not have as much concern for the internal structures, the ribs and particularly the spars and stringers. If necessary, you could remove a skin panel that was nearest the heat source and perhaps, reached the hottest, and have it tested. If the 2024 was T3 and damaged, it will be softer now.

Aluminum IS pretty durable. Heat muffs and cowl baffles get mighty hot and last a long time. If there is insurance to cover the damage, this is now the time to get it checked out.

Good Luck with it. duey

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gahorN

10-05-2006 21:47:46




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 Re: O/T Fire in the hanger in reply to duey, 10-05-2006 18:00:18  
I had an airplane that was suspected of being in a fire. It was inspected via Eddy-Current and released for flight. But your years of labor and investment are worth plenty, and the hangar-keepers insurance should belly-up-to the bar and compensate you more than your actual expenses to evaluate/repair the airplane. Your project has been delayed and now needs repairs, that even if done correctly, will reduce the value of your airplane. (Ask your auto-adjuster why, after your wrecked auto is repaired and paid for by the insurance company, the underwriter still owes you for reduced value of repaired equipment.)

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Richard Fazio

10-06-2006 05:22:08




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 Re: O/T Fire in the hanger in reply to gahorN, 10-05-2006 21:47:46  
GahorN, Where did you get your plane inspected & what was the cost?



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