So, is it still an Airplane?

Old, dilapitated and neglected airplanes are not a rare thing. There are at least a few airplanes on the grounds of my local airport that I have never seen move at all, and are slowly being claimed by the grass that grows up around the bent struts, flat tires and rusty landing gear. While its sad to see a good airplane go to waste, it's just as well no one is dumb enough to fly them in the condition they are in. ...Or are they!?

I like to look up Cessna 150's and Tommy's that are up for sale on the internet. They are affordable, fun airplanes and I like to think I'll be able to afford one soon. This 150 really got my attention. $10,000!? Let's see whats wrong with this thing!

Aircraft For Sale: 1959-150 10,585.77TT 1,054SMOH The aircraft was sold to me as having a fresh annual when actually it was pencil wipped and after having it inspected I have decided to sell the aircraft and cut my losses. The former owner flew the plane and seemed to consider it safe as he flew it to Virginia for the annual and back as well as delivering it to a local airport for me. It has about 1.5 hours since the alleged annual. I flew it about 20 minutes to my mechanic and it has not been flown since December 05. Engine Total Time = 4851.62. Squawk list from my mechanic: N5778E GUARDIAN AVIATION SERVICES, LLC 12/11/05 Thomas Malechuk, inspector: Left and right brakes are inoperative and leaking at wheel cylinders. Brake hoses are dry rotted. Cyl #4 head appears to be separating from barrel, and has evidence of leakage between head and sleeve. Flap handle pivot bearing is worn. Flap cables are rusted and out of rig. Rudder hinge bearings are worn and rudder is rubbing lower hinge fitting. Vertical fin dorsal is cracked in many places. Elevator bell crank to elevators – screws rusted and fitting rusted. No FAA Form 337 for Auto Fuel in records. No FAA Form 337 for Bracket Air Filter in records. Old weight and balances are not superseded. No record of compliance of AD67-03-01, AD71-22-02R1, AD79-10-14R1, AD97-01-13, AD95-05-05R1 (compliance was due at cylinder removal) Throttle is extremely stiff to operate.Aft baggage canvas bulkhead is missing. Bracket Air Filter assembly is due replacement. Intake hoses are cracked and rotted. Carb fuel inlet hose is dry rotted and deteriorated. Alternator drive bushings are worn. No FAA Form 337 paperwork on alternator installation in records. Nose gear torque links have excessive play. Shimmy dampener attach points have excessive play and dampener needs servicing. Nose gear steering boots are torn. Battery vent is clogged. Unapproved automotive battery is installed. Fuselage bilge drains are clogged. Rudder cables are rusted. Rudder cable to rudder horn attach holes are worn and slotted. Left horizontal stabilizer has unapproved repair on lower skin at main spar. Elevator trim tab is rusty. Fuel quantity and grade is not placarded at fuel fillers. Fuel tank vent hoses are dry rotted. Left forward wing spar attach bolts are rusted. Numerous mud daubers nests in wings. Aileron cables are rusty. Flap tracks are worn. Flap roller shim washers are worn. Rudder pedal torque tube to rudder pedal attach holes are elongated. Left upper engine firewall mount fitting in fuselage is missing rivet. PLEASE NOTE: THE ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A COMPLETE INSPECTION OF THIS AIRCRAFT. THESE ARE ONLY ITEMS FOUND IN A GENERAL INSPECTION AND A COMPETE INSPECTION WAS NOT PERFORMED. I, ______________________acknowledge that this aircraft is unairworthy at this time.


This is just the general inspection! Someone flew this thing!!?

Darwin & I say "Better you than me......"