I did learn that this database is incomplete.
That's right, and I should have mentioned that! Not all accidents/incidents are reported to the FAA/NTSB, nor are they required to be unless there has been a fatality or injury to someone on board, or substantial damage to the aircraft, while occupied for
the intention of flight. Most ground incidents don't qualify, and some that do qualify never get reported (wing tip damage resulting from a ground loop at a private field, for instance ..... define "substantial" damage).
There are a good number of aircraft flying today that have been repaired or even rebuilt after an incident, and there is no official record of it with any government agency. Aircraft flipped on their backs during a storm or suffering flood damage or collision with a ground vehicle or another aircraft while tied down are common examples. Hangar rash (even if the roof caved in on the airplane) is typically never reported. True, major repair is supposed to be documented on a form 337, but included information is often sketchy and misleading. "Replaced RH wing assembly ..." doesn't tell you why it was replaced. I have seen rebuilt aircraft legally signed off with a normal annual inspection as though no repairs were ever accomplished.
This is just one of the reasons why a pre-buy inspection is so important prior to purchase by an inexperienced buyer (I prefer a complete and detailed annual by an impartial A&P/IA intimately familiar with the aircraft type). Someone not familiar with the aircraft type wouldn't know what to look for.
As I've said in earlier posts, old damage history is relatively unimportant, as long as all repairs were properly accomplished. For me personally, a properly done repair will be invisible, indistinquishable from factory original construction. (Considering some of the factory work I've corrected, repairs can sometimes be stronger and safer than original.) Something as simple as a patch on an elevator or flap on an otherwise nice 150/152 would not be disqualifying, as these are easily replaced subassemblies that are readily available and aren't cost prohibitive repairs.
I'm really not trying to scare you! Every potential purchase has to be considered on it's own merits, and none are risk free. There are loads of good and safe aircraft for sale at reasonable prices and low risk. Knowledge is your best assurance of identifying and limiting that potential risk.
