Page 17 - Volume 13 Number 5
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during the inspection process can be long, nitpicky and expensive – all of which contribute to an informed buying decision and serve as part of the negotiating process. Of course, the expensive and airworthy squawks are the ones to get the most attention, by both the buyer and seller.
My phone was ringing because of a squawk regarding magnetism of the engine. In 2014, the aircraft was involved in a lightning strike. The strike was an insurance covered peril and was taken to a service center for inspections and repairs. Upon completion, the King Air owner signed a “proof of loss” document acknowledging all repairs had been made and paid for, thus closing the claim.
The “proof of loss” document is standard operating procedure. Insurance companies must be able to close their books on claims, otherwise there is an unmanageable opportunity for future financial payouts that can’t be predicted. Once the claim is closed the parties involved sign the “proof of loss” and move on.
One would assume a magnetism check of the engine would have been part of the lightning strike inspection at the service center. However, the King Air owner now has an $85,000 problem on their hands in 2019 and
the uncertainty of who is going to pay for it. A couple of possibilities need to be considered:
Did the service center indeed check for magnetism of the engine? If so, the magnetism has occurred between signing the proof of loss and now. The next step would be to find out how it was magnetized and when.
If the service center failed to check for magnetism and doing this check is standard protocol, this is grounds for you and/or your insurance company to go back to the service center to have this rectified.
After I brought these two comments to the aircraft broker’s attention, I asked an important question: “Has the King Air owner been with the same insurance carrier since the lightning strike in 2014?”
He said he didn’t know and asked why this was relevant.
I believe it is intrinsic for people to work harder for those who are loyal to them. If you have been with your carrier for an extended amount of time, they will instinctively go above and beyond for you. While you did sign a “proof of loss” to close out the claim, the insurance carrier could join the cause and help you out under point No. 2 if they were your insurance carrier then and now. If you are with a new carrier since the claim occurred and was formally closed, teaming up with
          MAY 2019
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 15























































































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