Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes Letter to Caulkins Aero Service

Wow! This is amazing. No, even Cessna can't guarantee the absolute safety of a brand new airplane. But who, with any common sense, would argue with the fact that when a mechanic returns an aircraft back to service after an annual inspection those who own it or fly it don't have every right to expect it to be as safe as can reasonably be determined? Hell's Bells if there's anyone on this forum who can justify a muffler that was completely shot long before that last annual - believe me, I saw it, and it had been that way a long time - and steering boots just as bad: BOTH of which are potentially life threatening conditions, and BOTH of which were obvious without disassembling a damn thing beyond removing a bottom cowl...then you need to re-examin your "buyer beware" ethics or your intense dislike for the FAA (which I share), because it's clouding your judgement. This was an extreme case, inexcusable and indefensable. There's no room for it in GA. The mechanic had to be drunk, blind, or completely without conscience to have let these things go. Those are the facts, and I SAW THE AIRPLANE. This isn't just an abstract discussion on my part. Who gives a rat's ^&& if you're "messing with the mechanic's ability to make a living"? Obviously HE places little to no value on his license or YOUR life, unlike the nearly 100% of his peers who DO.

Simmer down, Dan! Simmer it down, now!

What do you think Gary? You are the only other pilot that flew Mr. Ed in the condition described? Are we going too easy on Caulkins?

Dan is definitely making me think twice about my nonchalant attitude. I admit that maybe my sense of fairness may have clouded my senses. I picked up an airplane for well under it's actual value. So, when I found problems, I did not become upset because I expected to find problems. You do not pay what I did for a 150/150 and expect a perfect airplane.

But, Dan is right, Robert. The motor mounts were worn bad enough for the spinner to wear a groove into the front cowling. About 1/4 inch into the cowling fiberglass, as a matter of fact. Significantly damaging the spinner in the process. The steering rod boots just fell to pieces as we removed them. The muffler was cracked 3/4 of the way around one end, as well as extensively eroded underneath the shroud. There was a missing lower cowl mount with the remainder torn, barely holding. Most of the "soft" engine baffling was not just extensively worn, but mostly missing. Not to mention the leaking gascolator and fuel valve. Oh! And I keep forgetting because I was not present, but Gary had to remount the compass which had become dis-bonded from the windshield. As well as tighten the bearing bolts on the wheels before he started his flight to Oregon.

So, where does oversight end and negligence begin? I am considering that maybe I have been negligent now by not reporting this. But, it is now a year after the sale. If I was to file a complaint, I really needed to do so shortly after delivery of Mr. Ed. When I first recognized the motor mount problem. And my just recognizing the muffler problem only a month or so ago, leaves some doubt that maybe the damage was not there during the annual that Caulkins performed. Due to how extensive it is, I sincerely doubt it. But, there is doubt, non the less.

I wasn't after any monetary reimbursement due to these problems. I just wanted to let Caulkins know that they obviously had a problem with one, or more, of their employees. Especially after finding the muffler problem. That scared the hell out of me. Maybe a more Stearn follow up letter is in order? Demanding monetary compensation on the threat of taking this to the FAA? Yes, I would really appreciate getting these expenses compensated for. But, doing it under threat of informing the FAA just kinda sticks in my craw. But, of even more importance, would I really be doing any good by doing so? Or just inviting further scrutiny on the part of myself and Mr. Ed? Something I really would prefer to avoid, if at all possible. Russ and Carl can attest to what happens when the FAA gets too involved in the investigation of the possible unairworthy condition of an aircraft. Like Robert points out. We are flying 30+ year old airplanes and there is not a one of them that is perfect. How many problems may I be creating for myself by reporting this to the FAA?

It is just too bad that the job was not done correctly in the first place..........

Bill,

None of the discrepancies listed were "caused" by Caulkins. If they didn't remove the muffler shroud, I'll bet they didn't remove the wheels, either.

To prove negligence, you have to prove that something bad happened. Then you have to prove that something Caulkins did directly or indirectly caused the event. And you also have to prove that they had a duty to act. You're basically sitting on a no harm, no foul fence post. Keep in mind that you've been flying a potential death trap for a year now. However, the owner is directly responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of the aircraft he/she owns and flies. No matter what you can prove this plane had wrong with it, you can't deny that you've flown it for a year. Sure, some of the things have been addressed, but the real killer went unnoticed during the entire time.

Caulkins didn't corrode the muffler, so they shouldn't be liable for any maintenance costs associated with the repair. They failed to inspect the aircraft in accordance with, at a minimum, FAR 43, Appendix D, thereby missing several key safety of flight issues. A year later, all you have is circumstantial evidence that the conditions existed prior to their inspection. To prove the muffler was bad at the time of annual, you'd have to have metallurgical experts to testify to the corrosion rate of the muffler material. Basically, to nail them in court, you'd have to do ALL of the proving of your case. Not quite as easy as it sounds.


I'm not advocating you do nothing, Bill. But, if you listen to the "lets call the FAA" crowd, be prepared to have your plane inspected by the feds, thru and thru. I will ignore any comments about just laying down and taking the screwing by an unscrupulous shop. You bought an annual with sale. You know better than that, but you've also been quite lucky. It's only as good as the paper it's written on. As you found discrepancies, you addressed them. That's all we can do. You'll never use Caulkins again, so send them the letter, give them the finger, but move on down the road. Don't waste your time on them. Besides, you don't know to what extent John had his hand in the arrangement of the last annual. No harm, no foul.

My fuel tank was cracked and had been sealed over. Poor maintance, true. But, what good would bitching do? I fixed it and moved on, just like you have with the other discrepancies you've found so far.

As far as how do I feel about flying Mr. Ed with a bum heater? I never trust heaters. I don't even trust my own heater, and I've looked at it three times this year alone. Use a CO detector and stay alert to the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning. I had to use the heater on Mr. Ed, but I never pulled the knob until I bought (you bought me) the CO detector card. You have a good mechanic now, give him a hug every now and then when he does you a good job. Not all mechanics are created equal.

As for the Hang 'Em High crowd, if you busted an ATC restriction and it resulted in loss of separation, you'd sure appreciate it if ATC would be kind and help you through it, but not persue any certificate action. Not likely, but you'd know you did something stupid that could have killed someone, but...no one got hurt. Again, man who lives in glass house better not throw rocks.

Want more governmental input to our daily activities? Vote Democrat!

Looks like that's the case, sadly, for the next two years at least.

We're doomed.


BTW - I've been following this thread pretty closely, and everyone had made some very valid points. In regard to the leter, I think it is very well thought out. And as for going to the FAA, I must say, it is indeed a very tempting course of action. No question. However, I feel (my opinion only - I might be wrong) it's not wise to go from zero to 60 and bypass Go. Give Calkins a chance to respond and perhaps make it right. However, if they ignore you or give some smart-ass answer, then sock it to 'em. As Gary said, it is circumstantial at best and even harder to prove - read lotsa $$$$$ and time.

I have to agree that Gary did indeed hit on the meat of the matter. What with the vast majority of mechanics being very concious of what they do. To be sure, there are bad apples, and as I've related on several occasions lately, I have run into my share. Basically, as distasteful as it may seem, the thing to do is move on down the road. Sure, give 'em a chance to make it right, but if they have a bad attitude, well, its a small aviation community, isn't it? Word of mouth goes a looooooong way indeed.

Bill, I know how you feel about the muffler - I had the exact same reaction with some of the "work" done on Mary Lou, and to be honest with you all, it made me angry, I felt like I was being taken, and was (still am) tempted to go to the FAA. But.... do I want the Feds crawling all over my bird, and possibly finding an oversight or an issue that I have no knowledge of and perhaps being cited.... then the onus is on me for violating an FAR for operating an aircraft that is deemed unairworthy because of a paperwork glitch or bad repair job done years before I bought the bird?

Hey.... it's possible.

It doesn't fix the problem by letting them know about it, but at least the rest of us know where not to take our birds. And believe me, if anyone ever asks me about my experiences, well, I won't lie or embellish.

Nope.

No way.

But, I will tell the truth. No slander or libel - just the facts of what I saw and had happen to me.

Hey.... it's in the logs!

Gary and Ed touched on a very important point to consider before running to the Feds - you, as PIC, are responsible for the condition of the plane.

I talked with one FAA rep (actually a very nice guy), and he related a tale of woe from one new owner. The pilot described all of the things wrong with the plane after a pre-buy and wanted the mechanic investigated by the FAA. The rep replied that they'll certainly check the mechanic, but now he's forced to investigate the pilot for flying an un-airworthy aircraft.

There's many such stories of disgruntled owners contacting the Feds about some incompetent mechanic, only to get the shaft from the FAA themselves. And then get sued by the mechanic for libel, false accusation, etc.

Though not as emotionally satisfying, the measured response is usually best. In the end, all we want is fair work at a fair price with a minimum of fuss.

Carl? What was the story again concerning that airplane you just delivered at Clinton? Didn't that begin with somebody complaining to the FAA about the possible unairworthy condition of an aircraft?

Gary!

Shame on you!

By now, you should know that Democrats, Republicans, Whigs, Torries, Independants .... whatever .... in office they're all the same! They're all politicians! They just tell different lies to get the same self-serving result! It gets harder and harder for me to vote each election year, because once you strip the labels off and look at their records? They all deserve to serve ................
time, that is!

While I'm reluctant to use this forum to risk the antagonism that dicussing politics can bring, I will say that, as usual, Carl is right on track! For all their rhetoric, politicians are concerned with only one thing - power and the priviledges that accompany it. The public benefits only occasionally and usually by accident.

Okay, okay. Power and priviledges are two things! I misspoke. That qualifies me for a candidate to some office, doesn't it?

I know pilotics has no business in this thread. I just threw that in to keep the ruckus going.

I could care less one's declared political affiliations. Political extremists are just as inept as those whom they elect into office.

Someone has to lead this country. Someone has to take the trash out, too. Fortunately, I have a job somewhere in the middle. Politicians are liars. All mechanics are bad. All pilots have attitudes. I'm two out of three, so I don't stand a chance!