Ac500 on ebay

[jensscott]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1959-AERO-COMMANDER-500-TWIN-ENGINE-6-PASSENGER-1700-PAYLOAD-IN-MIAMI-FL-AMY-/252711677057?_trkparms=pageci%3A4fb176a4-d867-11e6-9e76-74dbd1808880%7Cparentrq%3A90502f0f1590a6a8f3e86a3dffbb259d%7Ciid%3A16&forcerrptr=true&hash=item3ad6ca2c81:g:yjQAAOSwa~BYbreu&item=252711677057

[donv]

The appraisal makes it sound quite a bit better than the pictures indicate. I wonder why the left prop isn't installed, if in fact it's serviceable, as the appraisal says?

[ghancock]

As you already know I'm a fan of projects but I think that one will get you coming and going.  First off it is in Miami (salt),  Secondly it has been sitting for some time with a few notes;

1) Prop is not only off but hub is totally rusted over.  So it has been off for some time and might even be missing.

2) Pitot tube area has been cleaned up, and I suspect for the pictures, which means you probably have a considerable amount of corrosion in that area.

3) It looks like it has been flown 10 hours in the last 3 years so that is a sign that it might be airworthy, but the skin condition is what I'd be the most worried with.  With it sitting outside in Florida with nothing protecting it I wouldn't be surprised if the cables were all rusted up and the skins where totally corroded. 

My main concern when I buy an airplane is the airframe.  Engines always need work and always get replaced (eventually), the airframe though can bust your balls and leave you wishing you had another life if you aren't careful.

I personally would keep looking.

Glenn

[Bruce Byerly]

The appraisal makes it sound quite a bit better than the pictures indicate. I wonder why the left prop isn't installed, if in fact it's serviceable, as the appraisal says?

Judging by the rudder trim tab, it flew in that way but has neither positive nor negative material negative value relative to its market performance 

Kind of a survivor.  Someday we'll wish we saved more of these when planes are plastic mobile tracking devices.  Sitting on a Miami ramp? Stick a fork in it.

[Stephen Matusick]

The temptation is there! But that pesky 150 dollar fee added on.... what in the world.

These planes with no inspection allowed, but let me tell you about it.......

Anyone want to guess on final price plus $150?

$10,000 <-thats me in 7 hours, well 9,850....



Steve

I see seepage on both brakes as well I believe. A project, that is for sure.

[Adam Frisch]

It's funny. I used to get excited about projects like these, but the 520 cured me of that!

Like over on BeechTalk there is a little hardcore unit of Twin Bonanza lovers who rescue them and do them up. Of course, financially, it's total madness. You might get them cheap, but they'll cost $100K to do up and you might get $30K for them. And for that you're running GO-435' with 1200hr TBO that cost as much as turbines to overhaul. I do respect their efforts and I'm happy someone is keeping these things in the air, but I think after having three airplanes that have spent much more time in the shop than I've ever flown them, I think the next one I buy is going to have to be pretty much ready to go. Sure, I can deal with a panel upgrade or an interior, but not major, major stuff.

There are only so many years in a man's life. Or medical. 

[Stephen Matusick]

Bummer, went for 150 more than I wanted to spend

10000

[glbtrottr]

As you already know I'm a fan of projects but I think that one will get you coming and going.  First off it is in Miami (salt),  Secondly it has been sitting for some time with a few notes;

1) Prop is not only off but hub is totally rusted over.  So it has been off for some time and might even be missing.

2) Pitot tube area has been cleaned up, and I suspect for the pictures, which means you probably have a considerable amount of corrosion in that area.

3) It looks like it has been flown 10 hours in the last 3 years so that is a sign that it might be airworthy, but the skin condition is what I'd be the most worried with.  With it sitting outside in Florida with nothing protecting it I wouldn't be surprised if the cables were all rusted up and the skins where totally corroded. 

My main concern when I buy an airplane is the airframe.  Engines always need work and always get replaced (eventually), the airframe though can bust your balls and leave you wishing you had another life if you aren't careful.

I personally would keep looking.

Glenn

Meh - first time poster here, and one of the ebay bidders.

According to the broker on the donated airplane - broker is a boat guy, not a plane guy, but he's the one selling the plane for the charity - he expected it to go for 25/30k. 

Prop removed to fix a leak.  Both props each have 10 hours total on them.  Prop was in the plane and is now installed.

Allegedly the plane flew up until a year an a half ago.  Owner flew it past inspection and got busted by the FAA

When you check the certificate of the registered owner, it's Ulpiano Amy, who holds an A&P ticket issued in 1970, as well as a 747/707/emb110 type rating, along with ATP.  Broker isn't releasing much info yet...and he's not asking for the $150 either.

We will see how the story continues. 

[ghancock]

A couple things to keep in mind:  1) The airplane has 10 hours on the props and they were installed in 2013, so it has not been flown much and don't even know how much of that was flying time versus taxi time.  Depends on how hobbs is wired up.  2) The prop hub was totally rusted up in those first pictures so I'm surprised they just threw it back on there, but that is something to look into.  3) Removing the prop to fix a leak?  Depending on the hub there are a couple o-rings but would be totally surprised if they were leaking.  That leaves a crankshaft seal maybe but again, why would they not at least post the logbooks they have if they were serious about selling it.

I would stay away from it simply because it doesn't have complete logbooks, the story of him getting busted flying out of annual is a bit questionable, sight unseen is very odd, no copies of logbooks but admitting they are not complete....  Too many red flags on this one for me.

Glenn

[ghancock]

Oh,  glbtrottr . welcome to the forum...