Corrosion issue

[ipasgas1]

I looked at a 1976 Cessna which had some surface corrosion per the owner. We had the A&P sand down the spot to ensure it was not pitting, etc. When they sanded it down, they found a hole in the cowling which had been filled with bondo. They were not aware of the hole or repair. While the initial spot was surface, the hole concerns me. They said there is no internal corrosion. Should I be too concerned or should I assume that all these older Cessna's have some corrosion? Not sure if the hole should make me run. The owner has come down a couple thousand on the price but my concern is finding more spots when she is sanded down for repaint...would most take the risk of getting her at a decent price or would you run the other way?
Thanks,
Dan

[JeffAxel]

I would look further, everywhere. Especially in the ceiling above the interior panels, look closely at all structure, take all the inspection plates off and look around. If you see a lot of corrosion, think seriously about another plane, if it is all shiny, maybe the area you saw was a local issue. Look hard at the booms and tail too, and the floor, especially near the door and below the rudder pedals. You can see all of this just by taking up the floor inspection plates. Good luck!

[Ernie Martin]

Since the hole concerns you, also look carefully inside the cowling. That's where corrosion is most obvious. You should be able to tell if the hole was due to corrosion or due to something else, like impact from a sharp object (my front engine left cowling had such a hole, from an impact, which I had repaired with a doubler). If it seems to have come from corrosion, I would look elsewhere unless the rest of the airplane is squeaky clean (for instance, the cowling might have come from another airplane). I'm in Miami, have owned two Skymasters over the past 14 years, have seen corrosion inside cowlings, but never severe enough to bore through.

Ernie

[Skymaster337B]

Look in the wing tips and vertical/horizontal stabilizers, especially around the attachment points.

[hharney]

Was the A&P hired by you or the seller? You need to have your own interests represented. Make sure the A&P knows Skymaster.

I just looked at a 35 year old Skymaster and it was amazingly clean. We pulled about a 1/3 of the inspection panels and it's like a mirror in there. Airplane has been in mid states all it's life. Nice low time bird but totally original. Everything down to the panel and the front engine. No East Coast crud on this bird.

The inventory out there is large but be careful. I have heard of some real ramp queens. Need to check em all to find the right one.

Good luck

[ipasgas1]

I hired the A&P but he is familiar with the plane, having done an annual on her last year. I tried to get someone unfamiliar for a fresh look but couldn't get anyone to do it before the second week in June. He is familiar with Cessna's...actually looking at a Peterson 182 instead of a 337 as my wife prefers a BRS over a second engine. Still love the 337 but the 182 is a good compromise and the Peterson conversion makes the plane perform even better. I'm excited as long as the prebuy goes well. It also has the IO 550 conversion and three blade prop. Should be an excellent performer.