Kitfox down

[deejayel]

Well, no one hurt much, a few scrapes and bruises, but the IV-1200 didn't fare so well. She had come to a quick stop and flipped right over on her back.
By the time I got to the field, she was back on her feet. She looked very unhappy. I got her back in the barn and cleaned up so I could assess the damage.

Now I didn't build her, but now I may get a good taste of what the builder went through. But I need some help to get me going. I don't know if all kitfoxes are similarly damaged when this occurs. But this list may ring bells for those who have seen this. I Kinda need to know if this is a totaled bird.

The worst damage that I can see is the fuselage is bent pretty good aft of the turtle deck and forward of the stabilizers. I haven't cut the skin to see the extend of the damage. It is almost so bad that I thought the fuselage was completely separated at this point. Is getting an new fuselage frame my only option?

So from front to back...Spinner, blades, engine inspection and appropriate mounts/hardware. The bump round cowling took many hits, rudder/brake pedals, Windshield/overhead(1 piece), fuel tank caps, rudder and the main strut-to-wing attach fittings. AND the fuselage skeleton. That doesn't account for anything I may find when I tear is apart.

So, where to start?

[Av8r3400]

Photos would help this evaluation...

[deejayel]

Ill try to get some pictures this weekend.

[jtpitkin06]

We've had a few airplanes at my airport wrapped up in a ball that came back to life. Time and money are required. With a tube aircraft, it's often a case of more time than money.

Where to start? Assuming your first step would have been to the insurance claims office. If they have settled or you've purchased the salvage...

1. compete disassembly. Remove engine, interior, wings, stab, rudder, etc.
2. remove all fabric covering. Wings and fuselage.
3. Have a tube/fabric mechanic look it over with you. Two of you will find more things than either of you, alone.

Once you have a list of the damage, start taking measurements to see how bent things are. Resign yourself to the fact you will get very good with an angle grinder and a gas welder. Come-alongs and a torch for heating can get a lot of fuselage members back in place. Badly bent parts will need to be cut out and replaced. There's a lot of good info on how to do the repairs in AC 43.13

In the wings you are looking for obvious bends and broken ribs.

Not an impossible job, but it will take a lot of time. Many an airplane has been rebuilt with nothing more than a data plate from the original.

John

[ClickClickBoom]

AC43.13 will be the standard unless your A/C has a Structural Repair Manual.
Opportunity for a huge learning experience, the silver lining!
Eric

[deejayel]

Thanks for the advice.

I guess now that the dust is somewhat settled, I can take a better look at what needs to be done. FWIW, I am an A+P, but other than a touch here and there, I don't have real experience with tube and fabric repair. I guess I was also getting tired just looking at how much work needs to be done. That was part of the reasoning behind finding a turn-key bird. I own two other airplanes(not near as fun as the KF), and keeping them airworthy seems to be a full-time job some days. I just finished a 2 year restoration on the family cherokee 6. Of course these projects are never really finished...

I'll try not to throw him under the bus, but posting this question may possibly do just that. My co-owner who was flying the plane swears that both brakes locked up and over he went. um,ok,um...thoughts? Matco brakes, pilot side only, plane has 70hrs. I had flown it 2 hours prior and experienced no ill effects... I know anything is possible. I would not have warm and fuzzy feelings getting back in the airplane after repairs if these brakes have a tendency to lock up shortly after touchdown.

So I'm leaning to giving it a go. If nothing else, it will give me more valuable experience. I do have time--I suppose...

[deejayel]

Whats the difference between the 3 and the 4 fuselage? There is a "2 or 3" fuselage kit on barnstormers. Might save me a bunch of welding repair

[avidflyer]

I can't tell you the difference between the 2 and 3 fusaloge offhand, but I do know that the liftstrut attachments are in a different location between the 2 and the 3. (If my memory is correct, the liftstruts are longer on the 3, so the brackets are farther out on the wing.) If someone can give you the distance between the fusaloge and the liftstrut bracket on their 2 or 3 wings and then you get the seller to provide his dimention of the same, you will know which kit it is. I saw that add also, and if I was closer, I think I would buy it cause it sure is low priced. You could use what you need and part out the rest and maybe end up with what you need for nearly nothing. Take care, Jim Chuk

[deejayel]

Got the plane stripped down today. Everything but the instrument panel. Got most of the damage bent back into some semblance of a fuselage. Plenty of pipes needing replacment, but that was to be expected.

Hopefully by the end of the week Ill have this thing on the welders rack.

[avidflyer]

Sorry guys, I must have been not paying attention yesterday when I commented on the differences between a Kitfox 2 and 3 when the question was about the difference between a 3 and a 4. One big difference that I can think of between a Kitfox 3 and 4 is the flaperon controls behind the seat are totally different. The Kitfox 3 uses the design copied from the early Avid Flyer, but the Kitfox 4 controls are a completly different design. I think that the 4 also has 2" more headroom, but am not positive on that one. Also, the verticle stabilize/rudder is taller on the later Kitfox 4s. I'm just guessing here, but maybe the fusaloge is also longer on the 4. If someone who has a Kitfox 3 wants to measure the distance from the rear wing attchment point to the front of the horizontal stabilizer and also measure from the floorboards to the center of the front spar, I'll measure my Kitfox 4 project and we can compare numbers to see if there is a difference. Take care, Jim Chuk