AC 43.13-1A

Historical

Advisory circular · Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices - Aircraft Inspection and Repair

A newer version is currentThis is a historical version. AC 43.13-1B CHG 1 Ed Update is the version in force, approved September 27, 2001.
Approved
January 1, 1972
Last reviewed
June 11, 2024
Cancels
AC43.13-1
Cancelled by
AC43.13-1A CHG 1
Family
AC 43.13-1 · 7 versions
Revision
A
14 CFR parts
43
Cited by
95 ADs

Guidance, not mandatory unless a rule or AD requires it. DRS record last changed November 21, 2025.

Show pages 41–52
Page 53OCROpen in PDF

NO FITTING WITHIN THESE LIMITS 5 TO 1 SLOPE

- LONGITUDINAL CRACK

AND LOCAL DAMAGE SPRUCE BLOCKY

DIRECTION OF GRAIN IF

SPRUCE OR FAGE GRAIN IF PLYWOOD FIGURE 1.9.—Method of reinforcing a longitudinal crack and/or local damage in a solid or internally routed apar. AC 43.13-1A 1972

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$3.1$- Page 13

• 12F RECOMMENDED -1 1OF MINIMUM

DAMAGED AREA GUSSET - ORIGINAL Y - 8

PLYWOOD- C==

SPRUCE OR

BASSWOOD AT A SPAR *4А† = C=

•Од- ЗА AT TRAILING EDGE -10 A A, B,O, D, E, F, 0 • ORIGINAL DIMENSIONS•

REINFORCEMENT PLATES

SHALL BE PLYWOOD GLUED AND NAILED.

AT A JOINT TO TRUSS MEMBERS THE DIRECTION OF THE

FACE GRAIN MUST BE

THE SAME AS ORIGINAL GUSSET.

T +3А→ - 10 A- FIGURE 1.10.-Repair of wood ribs.

ар 1 Par 21

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Page 14 AC 43.13-1А 1972 SEE FIG. 1.10 FOR REPAIR OF CAPSTRIPS. , REPAIR DAMAGE-

SEE (D) (A) -ЗА - ЗА SEE FIG. 1.10 FOR REPAIR OF CAPSTRIPS. - REPAIR DAMAGE- (B) SEE FIG. 1.10 FOR REPAIR OF CAPSTRIPS. → REPAIR DAMAGE (G) * 12 A RECOMMENDED→

IOA MINIMUM 6 A- (D) А-А C-0

PLYWOOD

REINFORCEMENT E SAME THICKNESS AND FACE GRAIN DIRECTION AS ORIGINAL.

FIGURE 1.11.-Typical wing compression rib repairs.

Par 21 Chap 1

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Ju r'ercent moisture content, Thoroughly soaked in hot water 1972 AC 43.13-1A bent on cold mandrels and bent on cold mandrels PLywood At 900 to At 0° or 450 At 900 to At 00 or 450 thickness face grain to face grain face grain to face grain ·→ (I) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Inch No. plies Inches Inches Inches Inches 3 0.5 0.1 3 105 ole 3 2.6 •8 3 3.8 1.2 3 5.3 1,8 3 761 2.6 5 17 6 2 5 21 7 3 5 27 10 4 5 31 20 12 5 5 43 28 16 7 5 54 36 21 10 Columns (1) and (3) may also be used for determining the maximun thickness of single laminations for curvel members.

FIGURE 1.12.—Minimum recommended bend radii for aircraft plywood.

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may be repaired by using a circular splayed patch as illustrated in figure 1.18. The term "splayed" is used to denote that the edges of the patch are tapered, but the slope is steeper than is allowed in scarfing operations. The steps shown in figure 1.18 should be taken in making a splayed patch.

a. Lay out the patch according to figure 1.18.

Tack a small piece of plywood over the hole for a center point, and draw two circles, the inner one to be the size of the hole, and the outer one marking the limits of the taper. The difference between the radii is 5T (5 times the thickness of the skin). If one leg of the dividers has been sharpened to a chisel edge, the dividers may be used to cut the inner circle completely through.

b. Taper the hole evenly to the outer mark with a chisel, knife, or rasp.

c. Prepare a circular tapered patch to fit the prepared hole and glue the patch into place with face-grain direction matching that of the original surface.

d. Use waxed paper between the patch and a AC 43.13-1А 1972 plywood pressure plate cut to the exact size of the patch. This prevents extruded glue from binding patch and plate together. Center the plate carefully over the patch.

•. Apply pressure. As there is no reinforcement behind this patch, care must be used so that pressure is not great enough to crack the skin. On horizontal surfaces, weights or sandbags will be sufficient. On patches too far in for the use of standard hand clamps, jaws of greater length may be improvised.

f. Fill, sand, and refinish the patch.

22. SURFACE PATCH. Plywood skins that are damaged between or along framing members may be repaired by surface or overlay patches as shown in figure 1.14. Trim the damaged skin to a rectangular or triangular shape and round the corners. The radius of rounded corners should be at least 5 times the skin thicknesa. Cover surface patches with fabric before finishing. Fabric should overlap the original skin at least 2 inches. Surface patches located TRIM TO CIRCULAR SHAPE (15 T MAXIMUM DIAMETER. MINIMUM DISTANCE TO FRAME = 15 T.)

-FACE GRAIN OF PATCH PARALLEL TO FACE GRAIN OF SKIN.

INCH WEIGHTS OR CLAMP OR 1585 PRESSURE PLATE fOR "PLYWOOD

PAPER OR CELLOPHANE

- PLYWOOD SKIN FlOURe 1.18.-Splayed patch.

Par 21 Chap 1

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AC 43.13-1A 11972 entirely aft of the 10 percent chordline, or which wrap around the leading edge and terminate aft of the 10 percent chordine are permissible. Bevel forward edges of patches located entirely aft of the 10 percent chordline to 4 times the skin thickness. Surface patches may have as much as a 50-inch perimeter and may cover as much as 1 frame (or rib) space.

The face-grain direction must be the same as the original skin.

23. SCARF PATCH. A properly prepared and inserted scarf patch is the best repair for damaged plywood skins and is preferred for most skin repairs. Figure 1.15 shows the details and dimensions to be used when installing typical scarf skin patches when the back of the skin is accessible. Follow figure 1.16 when the back of the skin is not accessible. The scarf slope of 1 in 12 shown in both figures is the steepest slope permitted for all species of plywood. If the radius of curvature of the skin at all points on the trimmed opening is greater than 100 times the skin thickness, a scarf patch may be installed.

Scarf cuts in plywood may be made by hand plane, spoke shave, scraper, or accurate sandpaper block, Rasped surfaces, except at the corners of scarf patches and sawed surfaces, are not recommended as they are likely to be rough or inaccurate.

Nail-strip gluing is often the only method avallable for gluing scarf joints in plywood when used in repair work; therefore, it is esential that all scarf joints in plywood be wacked with plywood or solid wood to provide adequate nailholding capacity. The face grain direction of the plywood patch should be the same as that of the original skin.

a. Scarf Patches (Back of Skin Accessible), When he back of a damaged plywood skin is accessible (such as a fuselage skin), it should be repaired with scarf patches following the details shown in figure 1.15. Whenever possible, the edge of the patch should be supported as shown in section C-C. When the damage folows or extends to a framing member, the carf may be supported as shown in section hap 1 Page 17 Damages that do not exceed 25 times the skin thickness in diameter after being trimmed to a circular shape, and if the trimmed opening is not nearer than 15 times the skin thickness to a framing member, may be repaired as shown in figure 1.15, section D-D. The backing block is carefully shaped from solid wood and fitted to the inside surface of the skin, and is temporarily held in place with nails. A hole, the exact size of the inside circle of the scarf patch, is made in the block, and is centered over the trimmed area of damage. The block is removed, after the glue on the patch has set, and leaves a flush surface to the repaired skin.

b. Steps in Making Scarf Patch (Back of Skin Not Accessible).

(1) After removing damaged sections, install backing strips, as shown in figure 1.16, along all edges that are not fully backed by a rib or a spar. To prevent warping of the skin, backing strips should be made of a soft-textured plywood, such as yellow poplar or spruce rather than solid wood. All junctions between backing atrips and ribs or spars should have the end of the backing strip supported by a saddle gusset of plywood.

(2) If needed, nail and glue the new gusset plate to rib. It may be necessary to remove and replace the old gusset plate by a new saddle gusset; or, it may be necessary to nail a saddle gusset over the original.

(3) Attach nailing strips to hold backing strips in place while the glue sets. Use bucking bar where necessary to provide support for nailing. Unlike the smaller patches made in a continuous process, work on the airplane must wait while the glue, holding the backing strips, sets. After setting, complete finishing in usual manner.

24. PLUG PATCHES. Two types of plug patches, oval and round, may be used on plywood sking provided the damage can be covered by the patches whose dimensions are given in figures

1.17 and 1.18. As the plug patch is strictly a skin repair, it should be used only for damage that does not involve the supporting structure under the skin. Oval patches must be prepared Far 12

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Page 18 AC 43.13- JL _ JL

FRONT SPAR

•TRIMMED OPENING -MINIMUM RADIUS ST

- RIBS • DAMAGE →Д

SADDLE GUSSET -BEAB SPAR 30 т ￾ PATCHI -12 T-→ PLYWOOD SKIN (I" MINIMUM 8T ST It MIN PLYWOOD SADDLE GUSSET RIB CAP MINIMUM THICKNESS • T.

NAILED - GLUED IN PLACE.

SECTION A-A 12 T. - PATCH /ІГРАТОН *4T UNSUPPORTED -RIB. CAP LAP

SECTION B-B SECTION C-C FIGURE 1.14.-Surface patches.

Par 24 Chap

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Saddle Gusset Hailing Strips Maximum Diameter 251 Minimum Distance 15T

• Temporary Backing 30T- Patch - 12T- Minimum Plywood Saddle Gusset Minlmum Thickness =T Nail-Glued in Place

SECTION A-A 12T ~ - Patch - 121--- - Patch Backing 31 Clamp and Glue Backing Clamp and Glue Backing to Frame and Skin Framing Member to Frame and Skin

SECTION B-B SECTION C-C

• Hailing Strips-

- 12T - 7 LEA Tomporary Backing Block Shape to fet Skir Cellophane or Paper

SECTION D-D FIGURE 1.15.-Scarf patches. back of akin accessible.

Per 24

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Page 20 AC 43.1:

FRONT SPI SADDLE GUSSET+

REAR SPAR

• 30 T -12T- - PLYWOOD SKIN T 3T (· MINIMUM)- 8T (1" MINIMUM) RIb CAP

SECTION A - A PLYWOOD SADDLE GUSSET

PLYWOOD (MINIMUM THICKNESS SKIN- PATCH -12 T-.- PATCH RIB CAP • 3T "SPAR" PLYWOOD OR SPRUCE- (* MINIMUM)

PLYWOOD SKIN

SECTION B - B SECTION C-C FIGURE 1.16.-Scarf patches--back of akin not accessible.

Par 24 Chap

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AC 43.13-1A Page 21 1972

- OUTER EDGE OF DOUBLER

- BUTT JOINT OF PATCH TO SKIN -INNER EDGE OF DOUBLER

- NAIL HOLES -

SCREW HOLES -

TO BE FILLED BEFORE FINISHING.

PATCH DIMENSIONS _G SMALL 27112 LARGE 5 7

TWO ROWS OF SCREWS AND

NAILS REQUIRED ON LARGE

• BUTT JOINT OF PATCH TO SKIN PATCH.

SPLUG PATCH (GRAIN PARALLEL TO SKIN) а шатика

PLYWOOD DOUBLER (GRAIN PARALLEL TO SKIN)

PLYWOOD SKIN FIOURE 1.17.-Oval plug patch assembly.

with the face grain carefully oriented to the same direction as the original skin. Orientation of the face grain direction of the round plug patch to that of the skin surface is no problem, as the round patch may be rotated until grain Hirections match.

a. Steps in Making Oval Plug Patch.

(1) Explore the area about the hole to be sure it lies at least the width of the oval doubler from a rib or a spar. Refer to figure 1.17 'or repair details.

(2) Lay a previously prepared oval plug ratch over the damage and trace the patch.

Saw to the line and trim the hole edges with a knife and sandpaper.

(3) Mark the exact size of the patch on one surface of the oval doubler and apply glue to the area outside the line. The oval doubler hould be made of some soft-textured plywood, Chap 1 such as yellow poplar or spruce. Insert doubler through the hole and bring it, glue side up, to the underside of the skin with its pencil outline of the patch matching the edges of the hole. If the curvature of the surface to be repaired is greater than a rise of 1/8 inch in 6 inches, the doubler should be preformed by hot water or steam bending to the approximate curvature.

(4) Apply nailing strips outlining the hole to apply glue pressure between doubler and akin. Use bucking bar to provide support for nailing. When two rows of nails are used, stagger nail spacing.

(5) Apply glue to remaining surface and to an equivalent surface on the patch.

(6) Lay the patch in position over the doubler, and screw the pressure plate to the patch assembly using a small nail to line up the holes Par 24

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Page 22 AC 43.13-' 19:

GRAIN DIRECTION OF SKIN, PATCH, AND DOUBLER.

SAW OUT IN DOUBLER

BUTT JOINT OF PATCH TO SKIN.

INNER EDGE OF

DOUBLER

OUTER EDGE OF

DOUBLER

NAIL HOLES -

SCREW HOLES -

TO BE FILLED BEFORE FINISHING

• BUTT JOINT OF PATCH TO SKIN E PLUG PATCH PLYWOOD SKIN • SAW CUT IN DOUBLER

PLYWOOD

DOUBLER

DIMENSIONS 8 SMALL CIRCULAR PLUG PATCH 2 LARGE CIRCULAR PLUG PATCH 3· 3 (TWO ROWS OF SCREWS AND NAILS REQUIRED FOR LARGE PATCH.)

FIGURE 1.18.-Round plug patch assembly.

Par 24

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AC 43.13-1A 1972 that have been previously made with patch and plate matching. No. 4 roundhead screws are used. Lead holes in the plywood doubler are not necessary. Waxed paper or cellophane between the plate and patch prevents glue from sealing the plate to the patch. No clamps or further pressure need be applied as the nailing strips and screws exert ample pressure. Hot sandbags, however, may be laid over the patch to speed the setting of the glue. Finish in the usual manner.

b. Round Plug Patch. The steps in making a round plug patch shown in figure 1.18 are identical with those for making the oval patch except the insertion of the doubler. In using the round patch, where access if from only one side, | Chap 1 Page 23 the round doubler cannot be inserted unless it has been split.

25. FABRIC PATCH. Small holes not exceeding 1 inch in diameter, after being trimmed to a smooth outline, may be repaired by doping a fabric patch on the outside of the plywood skin. The edges of the trimmed hole should first be sealed and the fabric patch should overlap the plywood akin by at least 1 inch.

Holes nearer than 1 inch to any frame member, or in the leading edge or frontal area of the fuselage, should not be repaired with fabric patches.

26.-36. RESERVED.

Par 24