Wasn't she due to do the wing spar inspection and reinforcment?
Wouldn't be suprised if some people see this as a blessing in disguise, the work for old ladies like the 402B and the PA31-310 is drying up. Parts are getting more expensive, the airframes are starting to look like something from a classic airplane show. And with the AV-Gas situation everyone is moving to turbines. A caravan is cheaper to run and carries more, only problem is that price tag.
But no doubt the insurance will never write it off, those buggers hate paying out and several operators over insure their aircraft. So undoubtly some poor newbie will be chugging around in her some time soon.
Kitty Kat: 1000 meters is plenty but a 200 has reverse, heck I can squeze a fully loaded Van into 300 meters (Getting out is another story). But all you got to do is float it or have buggered brakes. I remeber a tale of a guy who over ran a 2000M runway in a cherokee 180. Any of the guys who have been flying in TZ for a while will know that story. Apparently that guy is flying as a F/O on a Fokker 50 now.
Iron Nuts where are the picies you promised