"Tin Canning" Sound inside Left Wing

C

Coma

New member
I just discovered a "Tin Can" sound within my Left Wing when pushing up on the Left wing tip with about 50 pounds of force. The "Tin Can" effect occurs near where the forward strut attaches to the Left Wing.

Questions:
Any Ideas on what it may be?

Do I have a structural issue?

Do I need new wings?

Can I fly to nearby field for MX inspection?

Very Curious!
 
Is there a sheet metal cover over the fuel cell? Is it loose?
Could be coming from the leading edge metal.
Sounds like you need an A+P to check it out.
 
1969 Citabria with wood spar. Leading edge skin does sound like a contender. When you say "sounds worse than it is" --what do you mean?
 
Just read the question and response. Some of the answers reminded me of a situation I see on my 73 Decathlon (Wood Spar) having to do with the leading edge skin. I do not believe this is serious but I do wonder why it happends and does this situation exist with new wings or newer models and if it doesn't is it because of a heavier gage leding edge skin. I am seeing a point in the middle of each rib bay on the top of the wing that is wearing throught the fabric. I also notice that a samll fabric patch has been applied to some of the areas, same respective location and they are not wearing through. My first thought was flexing of the leading edge but there are no creases or distortion of any kind. I do not get it what is under there that can cause this? I have seen this on other ACA style aircraft I have owned. If anyone knows the answer to this I would be interested. Oh! I do not get a tin can sound when rocking the wings by applying force to the wing tips.

Ken
 
Wood wing leading edge skin do not wrap all the way around and tie into the spar (some would call it a "D" section). Thus, the skin is inherantly more flexible and prone to instability (buckling) with less force. Since the leading edge skin is really there to make the wing airfoil shape and not hold any load; its not a huge deal. You just don't want any permanant damage (to skin, rib, or otherwise) to be the reason its making the sound.
 
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