PLT OF PA28-180 PERFORMING PREFLT INSPECTION MISSES A DENT IN THE LEADING EDGE OF THE ACFT AFTER IT HAS BEEN TIED DOWN FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

Narrative

ACFT IS BASED IN A T-HANGAR AT LEESBURG; VA (JYO). ACFT WAS AT FREDERICK; MD (FDK); FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION AND CERTAIN MAINT; AND HAD BEEN TIED DOWN ON RAMP FOR 7-10 DAYS WHEN I WENT TO FDK TO PICK IT UP. I PERFORMED USUAL PREFLT INSPECTION BUT; SEVERAL MINS AFTER TKOF; NOTICED A SOFTBALL-SIZED DENT IN THE LEADING EDGE OF THE L WING NEAR THE TIP. SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED AT FDK AND; UPON INSPECTION; IT APPEARED THE DAMAGE WAS MOST LIKELY FROM AN ACFT OR GND VEHICLE HAVING STRUCK THE WING WHILE THE ACFT WAS TIED DOWN AT FDK. ALTHOUGH THE ACFT PERFORMED NORMALLY INFLT; IT IS CERTAINLY QUESTIONABLE WHETHER IT WAS AIRWORTHY WITH THE ABOVE DAMAGE TO THE AIRFRAME. THUS; MY INADEQUATE PREFLT INSPECTION MAY HAVE RESULTED IN OP OF AN UNAIRWORTHY ACFT. IN RETROSPECT; I THINK I MAY HAVE DEVELOPED A COMPLACENCY AS TO LOOKING FOR AIRFRAME DAMAGE DUE TO BASING THE ACFT IN A T-HANGAR FOR 10+ YRS. MORAL OF THE STORY: THE PRICE OF SAFETY IS ETERNAL VIGILANCE. I WILL TRY TO APPLY THIS TO MY PREFLT INSPECTIONS IN THE FUTURE.