Gents, bad news today on my newly minted -8. Only 44 hrs on the hobbs and my left elevator now needs to be replaced.
Summary: 989DS was tucked away while the airport hired commercial contractor painted the hangar roof. I even covered my yet to be painted 8 under 6mil plastic just in case rust ect fell from the ceiling. What happened next was not expected. Apparently the hired labor (now referred to here as "Meat-Head") unknowling walked onto the skylight and fell through. During his decent he brought along the fluorescent fixtures just moments before hung innocently 15' above my 8 and a Cessna 120. "Meat Head" made it to the floor landing a three point and the fixture met my left elevator. Damage was enough to bend my trailing edge, oil can and put a major dent above my trim tab and dent the tab slightly. No way to salvage but flyable.
Question: Contractor has insurance- this is good.
"Meat Head" survived - for now
I have pics of the damage and reports from the airport manager.
What next?
I am in no mood to re-build this surface, nor do I have time. What about the 49% pros.
My thoughts are to get three quotes for a new set of elevators and fly down to their shop for installation.
Otherwise I need to bill out my time as the installer and builder.
Any suggestions/wise thoughts/alternatives?
ANY HELP MUCH APPRECIATED.
Summary: 989DS was tucked away while the airport hired commercial contractor painted the hangar roof. I even covered my yet to be painted 8 under 6mil plastic just in case rust ect fell from the ceiling. What happened next was not expected. Apparently the hired labor (now referred to here as "Meat-Head") unknowling walked onto the skylight and fell through. During his decent he brought along the fluorescent fixtures just moments before hung innocently 15' above my 8 and a Cessna 120. "Meat Head" made it to the floor landing a three point and the fixture met my left elevator. Damage was enough to bend my trailing edge, oil can and put a major dent above my trim tab and dent the tab slightly. No way to salvage but flyable.
Question: Contractor has insurance- this is good.
"Meat Head" survived - for now
I have pics of the damage and reports from the airport manager.
What next?
I am in no mood to re-build this surface, nor do I have time. What about the 49% pros.
My thoughts are to get three quotes for a new set of elevators and fly down to their shop for installation.
Otherwise I need to bill out my time as the installer and builder.
Any suggestions/wise thoughts/alternatives?
ANY HELP MUCH APPRECIATED.