Leaky fuselage

[Diller]

I just bought a 250 Comanche that had been hangared the last 20 years in dry country. Currently it sits outside awaiting a hangar. I have started my import inspection on it by yanking the interior. Its been raining a lot here and I found at least 1-2" of water in the belly and also all the way back to the tail. Now, in pulling the interior, I found a little dampness around the side vents and the baggage door was full of water. The actual interior was dry though New seals and acoustic insulation all around are in order but I'm looking for others experience in where they have had water ingress.

The tail area(stab actuator/rudder actuating area)looks quite open and am thinking a lot of it is running down from there. Found some dampness on the gear conduits as well. Wing-Fuselage seal looks excellent.

Couple more questions as well
1. Do the side vents have any rubber sealing them tight when closed?Mine don't but I'm thinking that might help seal them
2. Are there specific drain holes in the fuselage belly. I did notice one half of a rear bay had one as it was the only one without water in it. Its either than or a missing rivet!

Thanks
Dallas

[N3322G]

Hi Dallas,

Welcome to Comanche ownership. I have a PA39 but some of your water location accumulations are familiar to me.

Even though the interior may be dry, I'd suggest looking closely at the door seals.

wrt to the other water - if the fuel access doors don't have good seals, water can get in there and if 250 access area drains are the same as the Twin's, water can accumulate and then drain out these overflows and I believe go under the wings. Webco sells these.

Haven't had this one but you might look at the area where the wings meet the fuselage and that rubber.

Hope this gives you some help.

[Diller]