Help! My 1968 Cherokee 140 is grounded due to the Piper Yoke Airworthiness Directive AD 69-22-02. This AD calls for 100 hour inspections of the plastic bow-tie style yokes, looking for cracks near the shaft in the back, at pin at the bottom of the yoke, or under the emblem in the center where the pin comes in. My pilot side yoke failed this inspection. I have ordered no less than 6 of these yokes from salvage and each one has failed my mechanic's meticulous inspection for cracks! I've been working this problem for almost a month now.
I'm reaching out to see if anybody has a bowtie style yoke, Part number 78729-02 or 78729-002 with a 3/4" diameter shaft that will pass. I would love to replace with the newer ramshorn style Piper yoke, but these all use 1-1/8" diameter shafts and I cannot retrofit.
Another option I'm pursuing with the FSDO is to process a Form 337 to replace the yokes with the ACS Controls A-1310. This is a well-constructed aluminum replacement, but it is not STC'd, PMA, or TSO, so it cannot be used on a certified aircraft. I know that this yoke has been used on other Cherokee 140's, but perhaps without authorization. Does anyone know of someone that has used this yoke and gotten either a field approval or 337? A copy of these would streamline the process with my local FSDO. I've already checked with ACS Controls and they don't have anything.
Finally, my last resort is the Avion Piper Yoke, but I'm not looking forward to spending $1,600 to replace both yokes on such an old aircraft. Also, there's a 4-6 lead time on this yoke!
Can anyone out there help or have an idea I have not thought of?
I'm reaching out to see if anybody has a bowtie style yoke, Part number 78729-02 or 78729-002 with a 3/4" diameter shaft that will pass. I would love to replace with the newer ramshorn style Piper yoke, but these all use 1-1/8" diameter shafts and I cannot retrofit.
Another option I'm pursuing with the FSDO is to process a Form 337 to replace the yokes with the ACS Controls A-1310. This is a well-constructed aluminum replacement, but it is not STC'd, PMA, or TSO, so it cannot be used on a certified aircraft. I know that this yoke has been used on other Cherokee 140's, but perhaps without authorization. Does anyone know of someone that has used this yoke and gotten either a field approval or 337? A copy of these would streamline the process with my local FSDO. I've already checked with ACS Controls and they don't have anything.
Finally, my last resort is the Avion Piper Yoke, but I'm not looking forward to spending $1,600 to replace both yokes on such an old aircraft. Also, there's a 4-6 lead time on this yoke!
Can anyone out there help or have an idea I have not thought of?
