I know this is not a Beech, but probably relevant to someone here.
From Avflash today;

"Canadian authorities are investigating an incident that could potentially affect the airworthiness of thousands of Piper Cherokees. Manitoba flight instructor Tom Larkin was on short final with a student when the control column broke off in his hands. "Somewhere below 50 feet as I eased back on the control column to assist the student with his landing, we heard a loud 'snap' and the control column went limp," said Larkin. "As I always have the student trim for hands-free flight there was no change in aircraft pitch and the aircraft continued to land normally," Larkin said. "There was no control of the aircraft's lateral or longitudinal axis. The control columns moved independently for both roll and pitch with no movement of the control surfaces." A mechanic looked at it immediately and found the t-bar control assembly had broken.

Larkin contacted Transport Canada and the broken part was sent to the Transportation Safety Board and both have issued preliminary reports but it's not clear what, if any, further action will be taken. Meanwhile Larkin and some local maintenance engineers removed the control column from an unflyable Cherokee of similar vintage and found a crack in the same place using magnetic particle imaging. Larkin said that indicates to him there might be a problem with all older Cherokees and he's concerned about what he perceives as foot-dragging by the authorities."

These are the type of aging aircraft problems that produce expensive supplementary inspections.

I can't find the registration of the airplane that this happened on but I am guessing I flew it while doing my PPL.

Also known as ADs.

Piper can publish a "mandatory" SB or SID, but a PA28 is not subject to them since it doesn't fall under 91.403(e)/(f).

The FAA has to publish an AD to force a change in inspection or replacement.

A pattern of these failures will trigger an AD at some point.

Mike C.

I gave the heads up to a friend of mine, since he just bought an old Cherokee 180, against my advice of course,

yes, that looks like "AD stuff"….

with the age now of a big part of the GA fleet, it is a hard truth that we unfortunately will see more such situations..

and there is not much one can do about it..I'd guess the potential failure mode of that PA28 control part may go unnoticed through a number of annuals..

that stuff simply gets old…materials age, whether we like it or not..

Erwin,

It was C-GQPN at Winnipeg Aviation.

Doug

Erwin,

It was C-GQPN at Winnipeg Aviation.

Doug

Erwin,

I'll ask around. I know one of the mechanics who worked there.

Ulrich sold it a several years and a couple of owners back. The current owner is Dan Reeves. I took my instruction with Harv at Steinbach many years ago.

Doug

Harv's is a top notch outfit. I did night and tailwheel with them.

Cheers,

One source in Avcanada says plane had 21000 hours, all in primary instruction.

I guess I don't want a plane with over 20,000 hours anymore.

Btw, welcome to BT Mikko!

So now we know who the ham-fisted student was who bent that part in the first place

So now we know who the ham-fisted student was who bent that part in the first place

When Piper built the PA22, they assumed those aircraft would be scrapped after 10 years. I dont think they ever anticipated someone would fly a PA28 20,000hrs. Most aircraft certified under part 23 now have airframe life limits.

Before folks get too uppity about 'piper quality', be reminded that Bonanzas are subject to inspections in Australia due to parts on the yoke assembly wearing out.