Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes Here are my prebuy questions to sellers.

Here's a list of pre-buy questions I came with. Some come from the books I've been reading, some from friends, and others from what I've gleaned on this message board.

If I've left anything out let me know.


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Why are you selling N###?

Do you have complete logs for every year on N###?

Does N### have its original engine? Are the logs for this engine complete and up to date? Who performed the SMOH?

Has N### have any damage history or any 337 forms filed? If so, please elaborate and could you provide a FAA CD-ROM?

Does N### display any corrosion? Please describe the locations.

The last annual was performed on N### when and who performed it?

What were the engine compression numbers from the most recent check on N###?

When was the last prop overhaul on N###?

Have all AD's been complied with on N###? If so have they been fully logged?

Have any STC's been performed on N###? If so have they been fully logged?

When was the last Static/Altimeter check performed on N###?

When was the last transponder check performed on N###?

Are there any know defects or anomalies with N###?

Could you provide Interior pictures of N###?

Could you provide Panel pictures of N###?



Thanks everyone!
-corey fisher

You can ask that question, but don't be put off if the answer is "No". It's not uncommon for the previous owner(s) to simply trade in the original engine and got another freshly overhauled engine. Nothing wrong with that, unless you plan to restore the plane and want everything to be original.

I have a few suggested questions for you to ask the seller:

- How often was the plane flown? You don't want a hangar queen.

- How many hours were flown last year? By how many different pilots?

- Was the plane tied down outside or hangared?

Your list looks pretty good. Ditto to what Hung said about having the original engine. Trading them in is quite common and should not send up a red flag.

Don't underestimate the importance of a pre-buy buy a different mechanic than the one who has been maintaining it though. Ask if you can watch or participate in the inspection. If not, then go to another mechanic. That will be very educational! If that plane fails, you'll be much more informed as to what to look for before you proceed with having another one looked at.

If the plane looks good and the annual is approaching, ask the mechanic how much more it will cost to turn it in to an annual BEFORE he puts it back together.

Most owners look at their planes through rose-colored glasses. Can you blame us? Keep this in mind when considering the answers you get to your questions.

I don't think an owner will provide the CD, but you order for 10.00.

Also the statement of are all AD complied with is really useless, first they are all supposed to be to be in order for the plane to be airworthy, and I have yet to inspect a plane for the first tme were all are. And most owners do not really know

Oh, Hop onto the NTSB web site and look your plane up to see if any reportable accidents were done. I did this for mine and it grond looped back in 1960 into a snow bank, the lasting result of that today is a repair on the right wing and the wing just outboard of the root to flap fit isn't as flat anymore but no other isues, as the wing was removed and repairs completed, and the engine was replaced with another.

You are on a good roll and those questions should get you going. if you like the answers, set up an inspection.

Welcome to the club and happy hunting! From my pretty recent purchase, one thing that said alot to me was the fact that he delivered it himself with an ATP pilot flying, in Instrument Conditions. That said a whole lot to his faith in the plane. Plus I noticed he also got the pitot/static inspections done the morning of the trip. That was handy for me!