Initial Teardown of N19662
With the airplane safe in the hangar we started to pull it apart. Nobody is being shy here as the goal is to pull it down apart far enough that we can see everything and fix it before it goes back together. When complete we want this airplane to be clean inside and out.
I had pulled the rear baggage compartment covers and inspected the tailcone for corrosion down in New Jersey. I had also removed all inspection panels on the wings and fuselage for inspection during the pre-buy. As those ugly seats and shag carpet came out the rest of the interior proved to be corrosion free as well which made me very happy.
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture156.aspx
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture157.aspx
We did find a fair amount of mold growing unde the instrument panel which we will get Sue to tackle later in the project. We did notice water collected in the belly of the aircraft which is great for growing mold. We will need to find the leak before we put the new interior in.
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture158.aspx
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture159.aspx
All the instruments and radios were removed and the panel pulled apart. Even the original breaker panel and wiring was pulled out. We will replace all suspect wiring, especially the wires installed by some unqualified avionics installers during the operating life of N19662.
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture160.aspx
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture161.aspx
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture162.aspx
http://mansfieldlanding.com/forum/photos/1972_cessna_172l_restoration_n19662/picture163.aspx
With everything out of the interior and instrument panel we were able to inspect everything. Very little was found, the airframe is very clean with zero corrosion.