Two steps back - Accidental Cleco Damage

by Greg Newsome

Oct 29

A cleco on the bottom of my wing got caught by one of the square tubes underneath while repositioning the wing - the cleco was pushed up flat against the skin. Not sure if I’ll need to replace either the bottom skin and/or rear channel segment yet. I wont fully inspect until I finish the root skin install, fuel tank plumbing/wiring, and nav/strobe wiring. Crossing my fingers for now. Frustrating!

  • John Montgomery

    I would not worry. No need for a new skin. Zenith designs are very forgiving of minor mistakes like this. I would just tap the deformed area flat and if you think the hole looks rough redrill for an A5.

    Oct 30

  • Greg Newsome

    Thanks, that’s my plan. Just preparing myself for the worse case.

    Oct 30

  • Perry Delano

    Agree, just tap it down. Expérienced this several times on long multi year build. I got very comfortable with putting in a few rivets versus clecos to store parts in prep for pre-closure inspection. Avoid doing latter at spar due to thicker material where it’s harder to get rivet out. 

    Oct 31