Sad 980

[SKYFLYER]

Seems like lots of questions and very few if any answers on this bird... I am wondering why both engines are "disassembled" if they are "only" 10 hours from hots. "NEW" windshields.. without the logs how would anyone know???
And I seriously doubt that all the parts that have been removed are still there.  Just to ferry will be more than Adam's high of $100k if ferry is even possible as most if not all the inspectors in the FISDO there will already know about this aircraft and be very hesitant to put their name on a ferry permit. That is if you can get an A&P to sign it off. Which makes me think the seller is fishing for a buyer that will fund their shop for the next year putting it back together. I suppose the real question is why is this 980 in pieces anyway. I have never heard why it was taken apart.
Just thinking out loud..

[donv]

Well, for one thing, all of the components inside the engines have their own life limits. It's not just a single hour limit for overhaul-- every wheel in there has a cycle limit as well. Of course, in this case, who knows how many cycles it has on it?

I think anyone considering this airplane should go back and read Bruce's comments about it on earlier pages of this thread. Note, in particular, that he couldn't even be sure of the serial number of the airplane!

You might ask how that's possible. Well, the answer is that several 980s (and other Commanders) were stolen, taken to south america, and used for drug running. Switching the serial numbers around to make them more "legitimate" was as easy as swapping the data tag. Now, I don't know if that was the case with this particular airplane, but it's not out of the question.

All of that might be okay, with the proviso that it's cheap when you buy it, and it will be cheap when you sell it... but that's just the airframe. The engine are a different story.

[Adam Frisch]

Here's what the broker emailed me:

Yes, we have the engine log books. Engine total times are around 9000, as they are not the original engines. Airframe time is about 4500 only, and there is only 15 SHSI on both, though they require preservation inspections costing atleast $175,000 for the pair.

These engines will need overhaul straight up probably, both of them.

[donv]

I think for overhaul you should figure at least $300k/engine.

[SKYFLYER]

Here's what the broker emailed me:

Yes, we have the engine log books. Engine total times are around 9000, as they are not the original engines. Airframe time is about 4500 only, and there is only 15 SHSI on both, though they require preservation inspections costing atleast $175,000 for the pair.

These engines will need overhaul straight up probably, both of them.

And still more questions... why are the engines not the original if the airframe has only 4200 hours the engines would not even be TBO yet and how exactly does anyone know how many hours anything has, except maybe the engines, without the logs.  Seems so much more to the saga yet to be discovered.
And Don is correct about the $300k per engine actually I am thinking closer to $325k since nothing is really known about the condition of them.

[EricDapp]

A friend of mine told me that when you look for a plane,  the best deal will most likely be the most expensive one on the market.  But here we are fascinated by a pile of parts.

[ghancock]

yes, and sounds like the engines aren't part of the $160k anyway.  So you'd be pretty close to a million bucks and wouldn't even be able to fly it.

Glenn

[JimC]

Engines are down to $120K each - why not pay $80K each and abandon the pile of parts?

If you had a -5, is there any use in buying these to help you get a -10 upgrade cheaply?

https://www.barnstormers.com/classified_1206137_Garrett+TPE-331-10+engines+.html

[Adam Frisch]

Yeah, but what's the TT on them? They might have 500hrs left on them.

[donv]

Bruce would know, but it depends on the specifics of those engines. There are some pretty significant differences between the "Dash 10T" engines that are used for the retrofit and the "Dash 10" engines that were factory installed.

However, based on my limited understanding, you might be able to use the parts from these to convert a Dash 5 to a Dash 10T.

[JimC]

The barnstormers ad now has the price for everything at $120,000 and "accepting offers."

[donv]

He'll probably end up taking Bruce's offer.

[Adam Frisch]

That evil voice pops up every 6 months and says: "Adam, get that pile of trash. So what if it doesn't have logs - this is your dream plane, your last plane. Who cares if it doesn't have books, you're never selling! You can keep the 680V whilst you do this one up for money earned over time and it won't feel so bad".... 

[SKYFLYER]

All I can say is "good luck with that" more power to ya 

[donv]

Sitting outside in Miami for years... I'd think twice about that one. Maybe if you saw it in person, that might either convince you to do it or convince you not to do it... I'd bet on the latter.