Damaged Front Spar

HS702 consists of two aluminum spars that make up the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer.  After removing the blue plastic from the inside of the part I noticed a really nasty gouge that starts near a bolt hole on the inboard side and proceeds about 10″ to the outboard.  The scratch follows a very straight line that is right in the middle of the bend between the web and the flange.  Basically it couldn’t be in a worst spot.  Normally I could use some ScotchBrite pads and possibly buff it out.  But there is one section of the scratch I am particularly worried about.  The depth of the scratch is way deeper than I want to trust.  I’ve sent a detail of the situation to Vans asking that they replace it.  I’ll let you know how that comes out.

Update: Vans is going to send me a new spar to replace this one.