Hairline crack at wing root

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LTek1
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Re: Hairline crack at wing root

Post by LTek1 »

Well, I remember this thread and was hoping for happy thoughts, but mine are totally different: I just discovered a set of cracks on the leading edge of my pilot's side wing root.

I spent a few hours the other day touching up paint and cleaning the leading edges from bugs; I feel fairly certain I would have noticed these cracks. The plane also just went through an appraisal and a pre-buy inspection in the last month, so I'm pretty convinced they are new.

May last flights have been very gentle; my wife loves to fly, but doesn't like to play. My landings have been greasers. But I did, just before preflight, have a passenger step suddently up on to the wing with me, today. Combined weight of about 420lbs.

My mechanic came and looked at it briefly, poked at hit, pressed hard with his thumbs. We can't feel any weakness or give in the area (not that I'd expect to), but I really don't like the way the cracks sortof radiate, and you can see a slight rippling or bulging effect around the damaged area. He thinks it's fine, but there was nothing scientific about the examination.

Have a look at the attached photo, and tell me what you think. I guess I have to decide if I want them to sand down the paint to inspect the composite underneath? Send pictures to the factory for their impression?
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Wing Root Cracks - leading edge
Wing Root Cracks - leading edge
Last edited by LTek1 on Mon May 19, 2014 8:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Lee Dickinson
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Steve
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Re: Hairline crack at wing root

Post by Steve »

Lee:

Those cracks are in a different location than the ones I have (and have seen on other airframes). The ones on my airplane are at the junction of the fuselage wall and the wing root fairing trailing edge. Yours, on the leading edge, are not an area that I would expect to flex. The way the cracks curve around almost looks like you had a blunt object hit there. I'm sure you would have noticed a bird strike, but any chance something hit it in the hangar or on the ramp? I would definitely do the coin-tap test in that area and send some photos to Diamond to see what they say. Keep us informed...

Steve
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Re: Hairline crack at wing root

Post by LTek1 »

Steve wrote:The way the cracks curve around almost looks like you had a blunt object hit there. I'm sure you would have noticed a bird strike, but any chance something hit it in the hangar or on the ramp? I would definitely do the coin-tap test in that area and send some photos to Diamond to see what they say.
My plane currently lives in the corporate hanger at my airport while I await a T to open up, so other people pull her in and out for me. If it were the wing tip or the tail, I'd ask them about it. But right there at the root? That'd be a heck of a collision to make inadvertently! I haven't climbed in and out of the plane with a scuba tank or anything hanging from my belt, lately, so I have no idea what it could have been. I sure as heck haven't been pulling any 10g turns.

Penny test and pics to Diamond it is. Thanks!
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Re: Hairline crack at wing root

Post by Lance Murray »

I wouldn't lose any sleep over this. Purely cosmetic. sand paint and repeat later.
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Re: Hairline crack at wing root

Post by Kai »

Lance Murray wrote:I wouldn't lose any sleep over this. Purely cosmetic. sand paint and repeat later.
+1, cracks in gel coat. relax.
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Re: Hairline crack at wing root

Post by LTek1 »

Thanks guys!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
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Re: Hairline crack at wing root

Post by BkFlyer »

I've seen these types of trailing edge wing root cracks on DA-40s on the rental lines. I think passengers tend to walk off to the rear. That trailing edge is so damn thin... it doesn't stand a chance. I'm pretty sure it's only cosmetic because it's the wing spar that holds the wing on, not the skin :-P
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Re: Hairline crack at wing root

Post by Jean »

Hello,
Yesterday I also noticed paint cracks for the first time on the root of left wing, but parallel to the fuselage. Has anybody already seen such hairline cracks ? I guess they are also cosmetic.
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IMG_8893.jpg
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Rich
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Re: Hairline crack at wing root

Post by Rich »

Jean wrote: Wed May 29, 2019 2:44 pm Hello,
Yesterday I also noticed paint cracks for the first time on the root of left wing, but parallel to the fuselage. Has anybody already seen such hairline cracks ? I guess they are also cosmetic.
Yep, Been there for years.
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Re: Hairline crack at wing root

Post by Wall-e »

I've had those hairline cracks at the wing root for many years. Not been a problem. However, during my current annual they found that a large area aft of the spar & under the wing walk that flexes slightly when pressure is applied. Diamond wants $2000 just for the drawings of how to fix it. Any of you have experience with this?
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