Wingtip Damage

[cdoughty]

Got run into while sitting on the ramp and dented wingtip. The crease is about 1.5 in tall and 1.5 in deep. 1946 140 ragwing.

First question is whether this is anything more than cosmetic. The spars stop 1 or 2 bays inboard of the tip, so I dont see how this would be structural given the location and size. The surfaces of the wing over spars aren't distorted, no fabric puckers, controls move smoothly, etc. I think it is just cosmetic-- If someone has a good reason to think it might be opposite I would love to hear it. I plan to open up the inspection covers and do the drag wire inspection and boroscope.

The damage was caused by another plane taxiing into it. A vertical stall strip on its wing hit us at about a 45 degree angle and made the crease. Impact speed was probably something like walking/taxiing speed.

If it is just cosmetic I guess the options are:
1) Ignore it and keep flying.
2) Pound it out and cut to get the surface below the original contour and add a patch over the outside (to AC 43.13). Then add fabric over and refinish.
3) Buy a new tip, strip the fabric back one bay, replace, recover and refinish.

I know this group has lots of advice and I am all ears.

The picture of uncovered wing is old, but shows whats inside. Univair doesnt seem to have the tip part (quick search only).

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IMG_0855.jpg (327.14 KiB) Viewed 150 times

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IMG_3928.JPG (1.07 MiB) Viewed 150 times

[V529]

I suspect...........that if you were to get hit.....and how you got hit, this would be one of the better options.

It appears almost straight toward fuselage, with a 30 degree angle towards the front of the airplane.
In other words, the aircraft that hit yours hit the right wing, not parallel to the wing, but somewhat angling forward?

My suspicion is that that outer wing tip absorbed most of the impact, judging by your last picture. Ideally, squeeze it back together, paint over it and "don't look at it". (what you can't see can't be wrong.......right?? )

Here's my concern. From repairing wing tip strikes in the past, if there is any forward, or rearward force, the force is generally transmitted directly to the spar/fuselage junction.
While you're looking inside the bays for issues, I would really concentrate on where the front and rear spar attach to the carry through spars. Remove the long thin panel that wraps around the windshield to wing junction and also covers the bottom of the same........right above the door.

Both forward and rear wing attach points are visible. Make certain they are straight!

IF.......there was a forward movement of the impact (and it appears to be) then I would concentrate on the front spar junction. Had they hit in front of the light pushing backwards, then I would concentrate on the rear spar junction.