Aileron/Wing Skin Question
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- lgrennlee
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Aileron/Wing Skin Question
Hello! I recently acquired a 2012 DA40. It only has about 300 hours of flight time. I was wondering if anyone has seen anything like the image attached?
Essentially the area of the trailing edge of the upper wing skin has deformed slightly and is contacting the leading top edge of the aileron. At the point where they are touching, it is rubbing slightly and leaving a few marks. When looking at the underside of the wing, it is pretty clear why, there is no structure below in the pocket, and the skin itself is relatively thin.
It has been very cold the last few weeks and I'm wondering if this is temperature related. I didn't notice it when I took delivery of the plane.
I'm tempted to just put a little teflon tape on the aileron leading edge to keep the contact down.
Thanks,
Logan
Essentially the area of the trailing edge of the upper wing skin has deformed slightly and is contacting the leading top edge of the aileron. At the point where they are touching, it is rubbing slightly and leaving a few marks. When looking at the underside of the wing, it is pretty clear why, there is no structure below in the pocket, and the skin itself is relatively thin.
It has been very cold the last few weeks and I'm wondering if this is temperature related. I didn't notice it when I took delivery of the plane.
I'm tempted to just put a little teflon tape on the aileron leading edge to keep the contact down.
Thanks,
Logan
- smoss
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Re: Aileron/Wing Skin Question
My 2007 touches in exactly the same spot, exactly as you describe, although the gap is not quite as noticeable on the remainder of the wing as on yours. It has been like that forever, and the rub marks have not gotten any more noticeable. I just make sure to keep the area clean and waxed.
Steve
DA40 XL
DA40 XL
- lgrennlee
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Re: Aileron/Wing Skin Question
Thanks Steve, to Diamond's credit, the left wing is exactly the same!
- Karl
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Re: Aileron/Wing Skin Question
I wonder if this is only Canadian built aircraft.
We have 12 DA 40 and have never seen this issue. We are based in Malaysia so the aircraft are subjected to quite high heat but never cold temperatures apart from those related to altitude.
We have 12 DA 40 and have never seen this issue. We are based in Malaysia so the aircraft are subjected to quite high heat but never cold temperatures apart from those related to altitude.
- Steve
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Re: Aileron/Wing Skin Question
Same here. Mine was built in Austria, and that area of the wing is straight as an arrow, with uniform clearance across the aileron. Mine lives in TX, so also more moderate temperatures. I would ask Diamond Tech Support...
- Colin
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Re: Aileron/Wing Skin Question
I would be extremely leery of sticking anything into the gap of a primary control surface. The very first Cirrus crash was their first test pilot and the gap between the wing and aileron was too tight and the controls jammed. He was too low for the chute.
So I would have it looked at and, personally, I probably wouldn't fly it until someone said it was normal.
So I would have it looked at and, personally, I probably wouldn't fly it until someone said it was normal.
Colin Summers, PP Multi-Engine IFR, ~3,000hrs
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N972RD DA42 G1000 2.0 s/n 42.AC100 (sold!)
N971RD DA40 G1000 s/n 40.508 (traded)
- lgrennlee
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Re: Aileron/Wing Skin Question
Colin,
Thanks for the suggestion. I just contacted Diamond support, they said this isn't something that they have heard of - their engineers are going to have a look. I'll stay on the ground for now!
Thanks,
Logan
Thanks for the suggestion. I just contacted Diamond support, they said this isn't something that they have heard of - their engineers are going to have a look. I'll stay on the ground for now!
Thanks,
Logan
- pietromarx
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Re: Aileron/Wing Skin Question
I have a 2012 and it is very similar on both wings as your picture with minor deformation of the thin part of the wing. It is clearly the trailing edge of the wing (not the aileron). The plane lives in SoCal, so not much chance of the freezing, though there is heat.
3 examples in one day a pattern suggests.
I will be interested in hearing what Diamond says.
3 examples in one day a pattern suggests.
I will be interested in hearing what Diamond says.
- Rich
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Re: Aileron/Wing Skin Question
My Canadian-built '02 also has those dips but they are not severe enough to drag on the ailerons.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5