NOTE: This is only a pre-buy checklist to assist you in your plane inspection.
Registration #__________ Year______Model_______ Date of Inspection _____________
Condition 1-5 Needs attention Y or N
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Exterior, look for, dents. New, misaligned or non OEM rivets, high rivets, loose rivets
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
New skins, or “non OEM" quality repairs from residual damage or evidence of damage history
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Glass clarity: smokey, crazed, or cracked & "stop drilled'
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Exterior corrosion (primarily @ lap joints), or flap hinges
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
FUEL TANKS
Tanks, Leaking or Seeping @ rivets or screws
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Gas smell in cockpit? Or staining along Main spar or wing interior?
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Tank leaks in gear well top at inspection panels and inside look @ sealant
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Fuel caps lock cam wear and O rings not cracked
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Fuel drains proper or leaking. Removable type?
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
CABIN
Cabin door handle security & engagement
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Check seats for condition of foam and backs for structural failure
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Cams for distortion or wear and ease of operation
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Seat tracks for condition and dirt or corrosion & stops
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Gear Handle
Labels and required Placards and Switches and CBs identified
Magnetic Compass for fluid and correction card
Soundproofing or SB M20-208B compliance
Condition of Plastic and interior upholstery (Fire certification for new upholstery)
PMA Tags on Seat Belts
Shoulder Harness properly configured
FLIGHT CHECK
Check ground control and run up-mags, idle, and prop
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Fuel selector and fuel drain for markings and ease of operation
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Check RPM and Tach for accuracy & range markings
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Check rigging (A/P on and off)
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Check all controls and gauges
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Check Avionics and VOR accuracy
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Check flaps up speed (12 sec.)
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Engine smoothness or vibration
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Gear warning horn operation
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
GEAR / AIRFRAME
Gear shock absorbers at limits, cracked or "old style" obsolete date?
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Nose Truss, Dents from over-steering or excessive play (unloaded) Steering Horn Play?
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Check Exterior lights and interior lighting: Panel, enunciators, avionics and Cabin lighting
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Check brake discs and pads for wear or corrosion or cupping
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Tire Wear & sidewall aging
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Check for corrosion in tail section, main and stub spar cap, gear wells, and battery compartment
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Leaking Windows, etc.
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Flight Control Balance records (required after repaint)
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Log Book Entries if plane repainted
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Muffler System for cracks or flame tubes and/or Turbo Cracked
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Exhaust system/ Intake/ Intact & properly clamped
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Engine mount secure, cracks, beef up mod (M20-175 &192) , surface condition & paint
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Check Cylinder Fins for cracks @ Exhaust Port
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Lord mounts compressed, cracked or installed correctly
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Run Engine. Check for smoothness, balance, and engine noise
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Engine leaking oil: case, cylinders, hoses, push rods etc.
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Compression check all cylinders while hot. Check Plugs for oil & wear, Insp. Cyls
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Remove and open oil filter, inspect oil and filter/screen for metal (alum/steel)
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Inspect Oil Cooler damage, leaks, cracks, & operation (warm)
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
Probes, transducers & wiring
Condition ______ Needs Attention_______
PAPER WORK / DOCUMENTS
Log books (all –none missing), POH ( current revision) , aircraft “ARROW” documents intact ?
Equipment list and Weight and Balance current
Logbook inspection only ( any record of damage history?)
Last Annual ____________________ SMOH__________________ and Major O/H records ____________________________________
ELT battery date _____________ Due:__________________Type: _________________________
O2 Hydro date ________________ Due:__________________ Steel___ Aluminum___ Composite ___
AD list: ADs and reoccurring and important SBs ______________________________________________________________________
Total Times for Engine________________ Propeller:________________________________, Aircraft __________________________
Propeller times since service: ___________
Notes: ____________________________________________________________________________
IFR Certification Date ______________ Due:______________
Records of Modifications & Repair 337’s complete?__________________________________________________________________________________
Misc Notes & Discrepancies ________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Paperwork. Check to see if the following are in order:
Valid airworthiness certificate, current registration, operating limitations/placards, weight and balance with current equipment list, pilot's operating handbook.
Engine and airframe logbooks. Check for complete maintenance history, airworthiness directive and service bulletin compliance, and also entries that suggest repairs due to an accident or incident.
Title search. Insist on one to ensure there are no liens against the aircraft that may affect financing or your ability to sell the aircraft.
Engine
Is it clean and dry? Be wary of a spotless engine compartment that may have been treated to a "spray paint" over haul. Check the source of fluid leaks.
Baffles. Eroded, misshapen baffles may be a sign of improper engine cooling over an extended period.
Induction/exhaust systems. Check for corrosion, leaks, worn gaskets, and loose connectors.
Cylinder compression check.
Battery condition.
Empennage
Horizontal and vertical stabilizer attach points. Check for play and loose rivets.
Elevator/stabilator attach hinges. Examine for excessive play in worn hinges. Replacing them can be very expensive.
Rudder trailing edge. Look for dings (minor dents) or putty that would indicate hangar rash and potential control problems.
Wings, ailerons, and flaps
Look for wrinkles, warps, and chafing rivets. Pay particular attention to clean, freshly painted, or waxed aircraft. It may be more difficult to spot problem areas.
Look for dings that may have to be repaired on leading edges of wings and trailing edges of ailerons and flaps. Check the undersides of wings near jack points for dings. Check wingwalks or strut steps for dents, corrosion, and worn-off rivet heads.
Fuel caps and drains. Look for fuel stains around seams, rivets, and wing roots. This may indicate leaking tanks or bladders or, in a wet wing, leaking sealants.
Fuselage
Doors, hinges, and latches. Are all hinges in place and free of rust or corrosion? Do doors close easily and with a tight seal?
Skin. Look for wrinkles or warping. Some "oil canning" is acceptable.
Belly. Look for scrapes, dents, replacement panels, and patches that indicate a gear-up landing. While gear-up landings that result in minor damage need not affect the value of an aircraft, the logbook entries should reflect the repairs.
Antennas. Are they properly located for best reception and transmission? Is the fiberglass coating eroded? Have all antennas been mounted properly?
Landing gear
Struts. Check for leaks, proper extension of struts, and integrity of hardware.
Brakes. Check condition of discs and rotors. Don't forget to test the brakes to see if they are effective.
Tires. Are the sidewalls dried and cracked?
Cabin or cockpit
Seats, tracks, backs, seat belts, and shoulder harnesses. Check for wear.
Instruments and avionics. Test them all thoroughly.
Disclaimer: We assume no liability for ultimate condition of this aircraft based on this "pre-buy checklist". This evaluation is not equivalent to an annual inspection.