Bird Strike requires some ribs and skin.

[Gord Tessier]

We had a bird strike a week ago and are trying to source out the ribs. Waiting on Don N to get back to me but if he doesn't have the parts we need, does anyonw know where we can get them?

[JAG]

Just a comment...that is one big bird, are you sure it wasn't a pterodactyl?!?!

Jeff

[Skymaster337B]

That sounds like an insurance company problem.

[cessnadriver]

Gord. Any competent aviation sheetmetal mechanic can repair that damage WITHOUT replacing the ribs! The ribs may require patching with a re-enforcing angle. The leading edge will have a re-enforcing strip around the cut out and an inserted piece of the cut out(replacing the damaged leading edge skin) with a double row of Cherrymax (Blind rivets). Fairly simple repair. As a 20 year US Army sheetmetal mechanic, I've done this type repairs on Army helicopters, as well as fixed wing aircraft. You can check out AC 43-13-1B FAA circular for aircraft repairs AND Cessna structural manual. Hope this info. helps.
Regards, BILLS
'65 C3337, owner/pilot and mechanic

[JimC]

Originally Posted by Skymaster337B

That sounds like an insurance company problem.

Insurance companies just write checks. They're not in the repair business. It's definitely an owner problem.

I heard of a 421 driver who was grounded for over a year because he had a gear collapse with an Robertson STOL airplane and it wrecked the flaps & tracks. The insurance company wanted to pay the last published list price for the parts, even though they weren't available from Sierra any longer. His position was that since the parts didn't actually exist and had to be custom fabricated at great cost, the airframe should actually be totaled. I believe they ended up in court; I don't know the final outcome other than he didn't fly for a long time.

[MSGP]

What model do you have?

Mike

[hharney]

Originally Posted by Gord Tessier

We had a bird strike a week ago and are trying to source out the ribs. Waiting on Don N to get back to me but if he doesn't have the parts we need, does anyonw know where we can get them?

Craig at Griswold Aviation in Marshall Michigan just replaced some leading edge and ribs. Give him a call he can tell you where he sourced them

Craig - 269-330-2908

[wslade2]

Interesting to hear about a repair from metal worker.

How about one of the aircraft salvage businesses. Like Wentworth? Texas Air Salvage lists a 337 parting out.

Barnstormers lists a 337 being parted out.

Something in the back of my mind says there's a 337 salvage yard out west: Arizona/New Mexico. Don't know how to find it right now.

[Gord Tessier]

Thanks for all the input. My mechanic was in fact able to repair the damage just as one of you indicated. 3weeks to the day.

[mshac]

Your mechanic did a great job! I don't think the "average" A&P would have been able to make that repair.