First item of attention is that the engine was done by Global Reach Aircraft out of Hastings Florida. [color:"blue"] Are these guys an accredited engine shop...or would they have done a "to limits" overhaul as Mike mentions in his book? [/color]
[color:"red"]
WHOA! Possible BIG red flag, here! [/color]
I may be completely off base here, and
I have absolutely NO evidence of wrong doing or shoddy work ..... but these people DO have both motive and opportunity, and few locals who know them will have anything to do with them!
I know this particular business! This is an aircraft broker, bone yard, insurance salvage, and government surplus business across the river from me, between St. Augustine and Palatka, Florida, on Hastings Airpark. I have toured their grounds on several occasions, and they've operated under several business names, under the same owner, including
Earle Aircraft [
earleaircraft.com] (click link for their website). They have been trying to liquidate their "parts inventory" for well over 2 years, now. Don't look for bargains, as there aren't any! (Browse the pages of their website for further clues!)
Don't be fooled by the spic-n-span pics you see on these pages. The OV-10 is at another airport, and has been for sale for years under the "Global Reach Aircraft" business name (licensed aircraft broker). It's known to be assembled from mismatched government surplus parts, and anyone that knows OV-10's won't touch it. The "Engine Shop" in Hastings had piles of used "spare parts" lining the walls, in greasy piles on top of each other on the floor. Pistons and rods here, cylinders there, crankshafts and cams over here .... you get the picture. They do a lot of airboat work, but I never knew they signed off aircraft "overhauls". With over 400 TSOH (needs to be verified), there may be absolutely nothing wrong with that engine, but ........? There must be an A&P in their employ somewhere, but the several people I dealt with here were not licensed, nor did they seem to be "experienced".
At this point, the most important part of your pre-buy inspection, should you choose to proceed, is a very detailed engine and logbook inspection. An aircraft records search that shows ANY prior owner in Hastings, Florida would be another big red flag. If the aircraft has been in Hastings, the airframe and anything in it may now be in question as well.
Sorry, to be the bearer of bad news!
