Hello all,
I apologize in advance for my rambling here... Trying to gain some knowledge on the subject.

I came across an airplane for sale with a couple of logbook entries that state the following:
"Left flap bottom has corrosion at outboard flap hinge-cleaned, primed, painted."
"Left flap inboard speed fairing has corrosion-cleaned, primed, painted."

The book does not indicate what type of corrosion this is or was.. Should an entry be more descriptive as to the type of corrosion? Are there levels to indicate depth or severity of corrosion that should be used to address and describe that corrosion?

My online search shows a variety of types of aircraft corrosions with some being somewhat easily (or so it would appear) addressed and others being complete show stoppers requiring replacement of components.

In a case like the one I presented above that's verbatim from the logbook, does this appear to be a common, typically used entry when addressing corrosion?

Should a more in-depth approach be used when corrosion is found?

This is the first actual logbook I've read that shows a reference to corrosion.. I'm somewhat early in my plane search and have passed on the ones that have had known corrosion issues.
TIA.

I'm of the opinion that similar things have been done on the majority of the aircraft in the world, whether it was logged or not is a different story. Check out the Cessna interior refurb threads on this forum - most discuss cleaning off some surface corrosion. It's always the things that aren't in the logs that should worry you. I'd look in the harder to see/access spots (above headliner, under floorboards) for additional corrosion. If the parts in the log entry look good, I wouldn't worry about them. Good for that mechanic for even logging that, many wouldn't.

-asa

asa wrote:I'm of the opinion that similar things have been done on the majority of the aircraft in the world, whether it was logged or not is a different story. Check out the Cessna interior refurb threads on this forum - most discuss cleaning off some surface corrosion. It's always the things that aren't in the logs that should worry you. I'd look in the harder to see/access spots (above headliner, under floorboards) for additional corrosion. If the parts in the log entry look good, I wouldn't worry about them. Good for that mechanic for even logging that, many wouldn't.

-asa

I agree. The fact the mechanic actually noted it and addressed it suggests to me that the corrosion was of a type and depth that could easily be corrected. Of course, that doesn't mean the mechanic didn't miss other spots.....

When I had a pre buy done on my old Cessna 170, I found serious corrosion on the aft float attach block. That plane had a float kit but had never been on floats. The aluminum cast float block was badly corroded. A closer look at the fuselage skin adjacent didn't show anything more than mild surface corrosion. My mechanic suggested replace the block and sand and paint the skin adjacent. That was all that was required.

Turns out that plane had hauled a lot of game meat, and blood is VERY corrosive to aluminum. That block was right under a gap in the floor skin.

Now, if I started seeing more than very localized corrosion, I'd probably pass. And, of course, when you're on the hunt for a plane, knowing what part of the country it lived most of its life in helps too.

MTV

If it’s a Cessna, look under the instrument panel and inside the horizontal. Then unzip the headliner and look at the spar carry-through. That isn’t an end all corrosion inspection but it gives you a quick overview of what you’re facing.

Thank you for sharing this insights.