I think we're too quick to blame the new composite parts for hangar rash

Last Thursday on a 737-800 out of Denver, we had a small but deep scratch on a winglet. The crew said it must have been from the new composite panels we put on last month. I spent two hours looking at it, and the angle was all wrong. The mark lined up perfectly with the old ground service cart that parks too close. The composite is tough stuff, but everyone jumps to blame it because it looks different. I had to show three people the paint transfer on the cart's corner before they agreed. It's like we see something shiny and new and assume it's the problem. Has anyone else had to push back against the 'new part must be bad' idea in your hangar?

3 comments

3 Comments

lindag3319d ago

Took photos with a ruler for scale right next to the old part it was supposedly hitting. Made it impossible to argue with the geometry. Sometimes you just need to show the math.

stellaperry19d ago

My own rule is to blame the new part first, then find the real cause. Linda's photo trick is solid, saved me from looking dumb last week.

william86419d ago

Totally get that. @stellaperry has a point, but sometimes the old stuff is just in the way. Seen it too many times.