Buying a plane with damage history

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TommyG

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So me and some guys are looking at a 182 that last year had a total electrical failure, and an over run on landing. All damage has been repaired and all logs look up to date. The broker says he has no pictures of the damage. One of the partners says it's usually common practice to have pictures of the damage after an accident, is this a common practice? The NTSB report is still only preliminary, I would rather wait to have it finalized, especially with a total electrical failure. So any thoughts or opinions from you experienced buyers?
 
TommyG said:
So me and some guys are looking at a 182 that last year had a total electrical failure, and an over run on landing. All damage has been repaired and all logs look up to date. The broker says he has no pictures of the damage. One of the partners says it's usually common practice to have pictures of the damage after an accident, is this a common practice? The NTSB report is still only preliminary, I would rather wait to have it finalized, especially with a total electrical failure. So any thoughts or opinions from you experienced buyers?
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Unless it is really cheap, why?
 
Would depend on price,after a thorough pre purchase inspection. Don't know why you need pictures of the before.
 
Properly repaired damage is every bit as good as new. Sometimes better.

How does electric failure cause a a too-long landing?
 
Stewartb said:
Properly repaired damage is every bit as good as new. Sometimes better.

How does electric failure cause a a too-long landing?
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The pilot caused the over run, but report states that because he was unable to lower flaps.
 
frfly172 said:
Would depend on price,after a thorough pre purchase inspection. Don't know why you need pictures of the before.
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One of the partners says its normal to have pictures. I don't know if it is isn't normal.
 
How much damage are we talking about? A nose wheel fairing and some paint or sheared off the nose wheel, buckled the firewall, bent the left wing back to the tail? :dunno:
I find it hard to believe the owner, insurance company and repair shop have no "before" pictures. :rolleyes: Google the N number, you may find them there.:D
I wouldn't be afraid of damage that is properly repaired, just remember it's going to limit the market when you sell it and it will have to be priced accordingly. :D
 
The value relationship with damage history can depend on a lot of things. A Stearman that ground-looped and was repaired 30 years ago is one thing. A 182 that was damaged and repaired within the last year and only a few hours flown since is another. I'd probably keep looking.
 
So if you damage your plane and have it repaired properly... you'd get rid of it? It'd be suspect? Worth less? If your mechanic gives you the nod on this plane, don't make a problem where none exists.
 
I just bought a plane with ndh. But during the looking phase damage history did not bother me at all if it was old and flown a lot since it happened. Damage with in the past year and not many hours flown would make me keep looking regardless of the price. That's just me though.
 
Repaired, 337s properly filed, trouble free hours with a long history, I don't see any problems. I don't think it affects value at all.

Recent damage, I'd pass and look for something else.

I'd want to see many annuals, 500 plus hours, and excellent logs though.
 
Stewartb said:
Properly repaired damage is every bit as good as new. Sometimes better.

How does electric failure cause a a too-long landing?
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Exactly

Id have more of a issue with a low hour PPL owning a plane, than properly repaired damage.
 
N747JB said:
How much damage are we talking about? A nose wheel fairing and some paint or sheared off the nose wheel, buckled the firewall, bent the left wing back to the tail? :dunno:
I find it hard to believe the owner, insurance company and repair shop have no "before" pictures. :rolleyes: Google the N number, you may find them there.:D
I wouldn't be afraid of damage that is properly repaired, just remember it's going to limit the market when you sell it and it will have to be priced accordingly. :D
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Here's a bit of the NTSB report-
The pilot was unable to stop the airplane and it overran the runway, struck a fence, and incurred substantial damage to the fuselage.

So I think I will tell the other partners we should pass. Even with the fuselage being repaired, hitting a fence I would say doesn't mix well with a running engine. And it still is the same engine.
 
There is certainly a point of no return though.... If all that was salvaged was the daTa plate, a couple windows and some air outa the tires me thinks I'd be looking at another bird. "Substantial airframe damage" would need some serious examination of the logs and more importantly, an annual hyped up on steroids and a fine tooth comb.
 
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