This is the root rib on a horizontal stabilizer. The rivets that fasten the rib to the spar are completely missing!
In Case You Missed It
Something to Do
Upon his retirement, Jim Shy embarked on a lifelong dream of building his own airplane. But before he even decided on a design, he bought a place to keep it: his own airport.
2013 Engine Buyer’s Guide
The outlook for the alternative engine market for Experimental/Amateur-Built aircraft is positive, and there are new additions since last year—even more reason to join the auto-conversion club. By Patrick Panzera.
Wind Tunnel
Pitch is not the only axis involved in making an airplane fly well. Yaw and roll are also important, and this month Barnaby Wainfan turns his attention to lateral/directional stability and its effect on flying qualities.
In the total picture this is not necessarily unairworthy. Yes this is an over site by the builder but in the total picture the fasteners in the rib to skin and skin to spar probably provide the necessary strength to carry the normal flight loads. This condition needs to be corrected and probably before the next flight but to call it unairworhty is an overstatement.
I use the little feature anymore to highlight problem areas.
Yes, but look how nicely the bolts are marked with torque seal….so much attention to detail he missed the rivets! Form over substance. Yikes!!!