1959 Comanche 250 - $37,500

[Ed Asmus]

N5391P, 1959 PA-24-250, S/N - 24-442

AFTT – 5307 hours

SMOH – 383 hours completed 7/24/2002.


AD 77-13-21, Landing Gear Components Wear Limits (1000 hours reoccurring), due shortly

AD 97-01-01 R1, Main Gear Side Brace Stud, due shortly

AD 2012-17-06, Stabilator Horn Assembly, due shortly

Complied with Service Bulletin 1160, Stabilator Torque Tube 10/15/09, at 5187 TT and horn was dye checked and good at that date.

AD 97-18-02, Propeller (500 hours or 5 years reoccurring) due by 10/2014.

Summary:

Many “Knots 2U” speed mods, one piece windshield, tip tanks (90 gallons total), “Precise Flight” stand-by vacuum system, shoulder harnesses, basic avionics with VFR GPS (Bendix/King SkyForce) moving map, panel converted to center stack and standard six (much improved from original), paint and interior overall pretty good. Engine pre-heater installed and used properly. (Only plugged in for a few hours before flight, never left on continuously).


Damage History:

Three gear up landings, 6/23/1959, 9/28/1960, 5/16/62, (all documented properly).

Repair to left hand wing after taxi incident, 11/22/1978, (documented properly).


All Logbooks Since New!

$37,500 – call (507) 251-0237, aircraft in hanger at KRPJ, Rochelle, IL


As of 2/11/2014

[Ed Asmus]

UPDATE: This Comanche is currently in the shop at Heritage Aero in Rockford, IL for it's annual inspection. The asking price will likely be modified up or down after the inspection depending on the results. Stay tuned!

Ed

[Jon Hankins]

Ed,
I own N5390P S/N 24-441 but its a 180 comanche! good luck selling yours nice looking bird!

[Ed Asmus]

Thanks Jon,

Very cool. It never ceases to amaze me how good these old birds look after 55 years and counting. I wonder if these two planes came off the line on the same day.

As for selling, thanks for the best wishes. Frankly, I would prefer the plane does not sell but that decision is not up to me as the plane belongs to friend of mine who is no longer flying. The airplane hopefully will be out of Cliff Wilewski's shop at Heritage Aero in Rockford, IL by next week or the week after. We did (are doing) an extensive annual so the airplane should be in good shape if someone should buy it or preferably for me to fly all spring/summer/ and fall.

Enjoyed your photo!

Thanks, Ed Asmus

[Ed Asmus]

Update as of May 7, 2014: New asking price is $49,900 (negotiable).

The annual inspection has been completed by Cliff Wilewski's crew at Heritage Aero in Rockford, IL and I think they did an excellent, extensive, and thorough job. My experience there was outstanding! I really cannot say enough about the expertise at Heritage Aero. The plane is home and performing fine. A copy of the entire invoice can be emailed upon request should anyone be interested in this airplane. Cliff Wilewski is willing to discuss the maintenance of this airplane as well but I would kindly request if anyone should desire to speak with him, they be a serious inquiry only. Cliff is very generous with his time but I would request we not abuse this.

Changes from the original post besides the price are:


AD 77-13-21, Landing Gear Components Wear Limits in its entirety (1000 hours reoccurring) - COMPLETED

AD 97-01-01 R1, Main Gear Side Brace Stud - COMPLETED

My intention is to bring the airplane back to Cliff in October of 2014 to comply with the prop AD which is due at that time and most likely the tail horn AD. I really (keeping fingers crossed) do not anticipate any problem with either of these AD's. The prop was assembled just short of 5 years ago with replacement blades at that time and the tail horn was completed at the same time before it was actually an AD. The existing horn looked very pretty during the just completed inspection. The airplane has been in a hanger for well over a decade so my personal opinion is the odds of anything changing back in that tail are quite low. Keep in mind, this is just my opinion and only worth what you paid for it.


Anyone seeking information on this airplane can reach me (Ed Asmus) at 630-846-1332. I am the only person operating this airplane, managing the maintenance, and I have possession of all the log books. I can probably answer 99% of questions that anyone might have. Technical information and specifics on the annual inspection as well as an unbiased opinion can be had by Cliff Wilewski.

Price negotiation can be had from the owner (Neil Minnihan) at 507-251-0237.

One of these days I may even get around to posting some new photos. In the mean time, I am gonna go fly it! )

Thanks,

Ed

[Ed Asmus]

Hello Everybody,

Just a note to mention this Comanche is still for sale. The airplane does have a new home in a hanger at the Aurora Airport (KARR) located in Sugar Grove, IL which is much closer to where I live and much more convenient for me to fly. The airplane has been flying regularly and is doing fine. The plan is still to take the plane back to Heritage Aero in Rockford, IL in October as previously posted. Here are a few new photos.

Thanks,

Ed

[Ed Asmus]

Update as of November 10, 2014....

The airplane just returned from Heritage Aero in Rockford, IL and the plane is flying very nicely. I just had Heritage comply with the horn AD by installing the Aussie horn that terminates the AD. The old horn was fine but I decided taking the tail apart every five years sounded like a bad idea.

The prop AD has also been complied with and is good for 5 years or 500 hours, next due 10/31/2019.

I also had a new fuel cell installed in the right wing as it was original and starting to weep. The left cell was replaced about 5 years ago.

I had a few other other "odds and ends" taken care of such as a new alternator belt since the prop was off, fixed a strobe light, and replaced the carburetor temp instrument and probe with a new kit.

All is well , and asking price is still $49,900. This would be a good Comanche to buy for someone who wants to upgrade the paint, interior, and radios slowly as money permits while flying along happily knowing that the maintenance is all in order.

Happy winter everyone!

Ed (630-846-1332 cell phone)