Cessna N6520G-C150L

May 19th, 2003

Ken Stafford is fine. Thank GOD.

Somehow Ken managed to get out of this wreck completely unharmed.

The same however can not be said about N6520G.

Ken went down about a mile short of runway 15 in Temple on Monday May 19th, 2003.

No word yet as to what happened but Ken said the engine quit.

Fortunately the wings abosrbed all the impact when Ken put the airplane right between two large trees.

We still don't know what happened to make the engine quit. Inspection of the airplane is leaning toward carborator icing.

Needless to say the airplane did not give up its perch in the trees willingly or easily. Here it is in the paint shop hanger in Mexia. Engine, instruments, and some minor parts and pieces are being salvaged out and the rest will be laid to rest in piece.

N6520G was a great little airplane and it will be missed, it was my first and so far my only airplane. Airplanes can be replaced, people and pilots can not, so again I'm happy to say that no one was injured.

But some time along the way I will write a small article about insurance and whether or not you are really covered.

Click on images to get a larger view Wheel pants are sitting in the cockpit. Taken off for inspection and maintenance. Seats and door panels are in good condition but still need more cleaning. (done) The orange carpet needs some kind of help but I'm not sure yet what form that will take. (replaced) For anyone who is willing to put in some Elbow grease and a little TLC, this airplane is an excelent opportunity to get your license, build some log time, and then get your money back. (You're too late, I cleaned it up and now all it needs is a pilot and some place to go). See the photos below for a sample of what work has been done.	1970 Cessna 150L N6520G S/N 15072020 Continental 0-200-A Avionics & Radios KX155 - 720 Channel NAV/COM KT76A Mode-C Transponder Apollo I - Loran Digtronics Intercom Color Orange & White Condition; Interior Fair (7), exterior Fair (7) Exterior Paint is in good condition. Some Minor (Plastics) damage to be repaired at Annual. Engine runs good, Compression; Wheel Pants and landing gear faring is in the cockpit in this photo. Restoration and cleanup currently underway include; New Battery, New Front tire & tube, Fuel filter screens, New wing tips and tail strobe light plastic assembly. New cowling screws and mounts. Nose wheel strut seals, New spark plugs, plus a whole lot more. And a bucket full of cleaning inside and out. Plastic wing tip and Tail tip damaged in wind storm.
All new Engine compartment baffels and the shrouds were rebuilt.	We inspected EVERYTHING! And then checked it again.
New ELT Battery. No structural repaires were required except cleaning and scrubbing. Repaired the fuel line shut-off valve.	Sheet metal work included the rear bulkhead and butt plate as well as a small skin patch on the aileron where the wing tip was broken.
We also installed new rudder bushings and took care of an AD on the tail feathers assembly.	New mufflers and exhaust, spark plugs, retimed the mags, changed the oil, cleaned all the fuel filters, lube all cables, new air filter and bracket, and all the normal standard stuff. New fuel line was installed while we were here.
New tinted windshield and rear window. Installed new control rods and reconditioned the control yokes. Replaced the control rod locks and rebuilt the turn coordinator.	I repaired the front landing gear strut and installed a new front tire and tube. Also cleaned and greased the wheel bearings.
	And then we have the story of the wing tips. This gets nasty. The story about the wing tips is a learning experience all by it self. The prospect of dealing with old plastic and fiberglass and all the special glue and epoxy required to handle this stuff is going to be a web site all it's own.
And now, the finished product, (well almost finished anyway).	Click on any images to see a larger view

	Look at the contrast between the photo to the left here and the first photo at the top of this page.
	N6520G passed it's first test flight in over three years and six months of reconstruction. The test revealed a really stiff trim tab, but otherwise everything seems to be in good working condition. Next up, finish the interior and install some new carpeting.