Expressjet Wing
Jul 29, 2014, 1:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Greensboro, NC, USA
Posts: 100
Expressjet Wing
What's up with the repair to the leading edge?
http://gallery.flyertalk.com/gallery...ucttape?full=1
http://gallery.flyertalk.com/gallery...ucttape?full=1
Jul 29, 2014, 2:15 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,601
What's up with the repair to the leading edge?
http://gallery.flyertalk.com/gallery...ucttape?full=1
http://gallery.flyertalk.com/gallery...ucttape?full=1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_tape
Depending on what is under the tape it would/could be a completely fine/safe/legal repair. You would have to have someone from ASA to answer that question though. (having said that, Speed tape is used all the time on airplanes.)
Jul 29, 2014, 2:37 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,601
I wouldn't think it was a bird strike, thats a bit big for speed tape. Seems like 9 times out of 10 its ramp rash. (in other words, someone hit it with a tug or cart).
Jul 29, 2014, 4:26 pm
#5
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Ramp rash? That's cute, although I would have thought that ramp road rage or ramp rage would be a better term.
Last edited by MSPeconomist; Jul 29, 2014 at 6:55 pm
Jul 29, 2014, 5:55 pm
#6
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There also looks like a less-than-perfect (in appearance) patch job with a piece of sheet metal going from the back of the wing up onto the winglet.
Jul 29, 2014, 8:36 pm
#8
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And on a larger plane, hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage can be caused by an errant cart.
Jul 29, 2014, 8:52 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: USA
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What's up with the repair to the leading edge?
http://gallery.flyertalk.com/gallery...ucttape?full=1
http://gallery.flyertalk.com/gallery...ucttape?full=1
Jul 29, 2014, 11:14 pm
#10
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Not the neatest job in the world, but it does indeed look like a patch job for a dent in the leading edge. Bird strike or ramp incident would be my guess as to the cause with me leading to think bird strike a more likely cause simply because there isn't much reason for ground equipment to be in that area except perhaps for a fuel truck. The reason you'd patch it that way is to maintain the shape of the wing and to prevent further propagation of any microscopic cracks that might be present. Perfectly safe and not that unusual of a temporary fix until the damaged panel can be repaired or replaced by maintenance.
Jul 29, 2014, 11:20 pm
#11
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Jul 30, 2014, 12:50 am
#12
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Nah, that's a metallic tape they use on the wing. When we had a bird strike at the airport, Endeavor came out with some aircraft bondo, some metallic tape, and an improvised heat tunnel to make the repair.
Jul 30, 2014, 6:17 am
#13
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A few years back my airplane (general av) was sitting on the ramp at ORD while I conducted a few days' business. An errant baggage cart took out the entire left wingtip. When I returned, they had already replaced the whole thing (a huge fiberglass piece roughly 6 feet long but 2 feet wide and a foot high with electrics inside) and had it approved for a ferry flight back to PHL area. Must have used a couple of rolls of speed tape on it! (flight was uneventful with no alteration to flight characteristics fortunately)