Page 1 of 2
Bear attack on plane 2009 Gutsy repairs
Posted: 15 Oct 2009, 20:39
by blanston12
A buddy sent me this in an email: Enjoy
Checked the registration - - '58 Piper PA18A-150. Registered 2003 to owner in Anchorage, AK.
Apparently a bear attacked his plane while parked in a remote field up
here in AK. He had not cleaned out the inside after a long fishing
trip and the bear smelled it.
He had 2 new tires, 3 cases of Duct Tape and several rolls of
cellophane delivered. Then went about repairing the plane so he could
fly it home.
Gutsy to say the least.
Re: Bear attack on plane 2009 Gutsy repairs
Posted: 15 Oct 2009, 21:06
by Garry Russell
Bad as it looks.the main structure seems to be OK.....ish
Thanks for that Joe....something a bit different
Gary
Re: Bear attack on plane 2009 Gutsy repairs
Posted: 15 Oct 2009, 23:20
by Chris Trott
I'd tend to agree with Garry's evaluation. It looks like beside the right horizontal stab that there was little other structural damage. As long as he did a satisfactory repair to that structure, even if temporary, then I see no problem with him getting a sign-off for a ferry permit (we'll assume that since the pictures are being posted that the flight was conducted legally with a ferry permit).
Re: Bear attack on plane 2009 Gutsy repairs
Posted: 15 Oct 2009, 23:31
by forthbridge
Re: Bear attack on plane 2009 Gutsy repairs
Posted: 15 Oct 2009, 23:50
by DaveB
Do not mess with a hungry bear
Nice one Joe
ATB
DaveB
Re: Bear attack on plane 2009 Gutsy repairs
Posted: 16 Oct 2009, 02:03
by airboatr
maybe he was teaching the cub who was boss
good duct tape job ... that'd make Bob Villa proud
Re: Bear attack on plane 2009 Gutsy repairs
Posted: 16 Oct 2009, 15:23
by jonesey2k
I'm betting that much duck tape weighs quite a fair amount! The Mythbusters made a seaworthy boat out of the stuff and now somebody had repaired an aeroplane with it!
That's a good idea but would be a lot less hassle to just put a .50BMG through the engine
Re: Bear attack on plane 2009 Gutsy repairs
Posted: 16 Oct 2009, 15:49
by petermcleland
An excellent job with the tape...I imagine he will now need to find a little firm that specialises in covering work. My Dad would have helped...He was a "Carpenter Rigger" by trade in the RAF
Re: Bear attack on plane 2009 Gutsy repairs
Posted: 16 Oct 2009, 16:24
by Garry Russell
Interesting ....lookslike you too Peter
Garry
Re: Bear attack on plane 2009 Gutsy repairs
Posted: 16 Oct 2009, 17:07
by blanston12
The tape would certianly effect the balance of the AC. I wish the after pictures would have shown the repair he did to the right elevator, but the repairs must have worked since he survived to post the photo's.
You don't want to mess around with bears, notice the rifle case strapped to the wing spars.