Grayhawk is right regarding the failure mode of the original LNC2 over-center links. In about '93, I was flight testing my 235 and a hangar-mate had the first failure (that we knew of) on take-off at Sedona while on his way to Oshkosh. When he got the wreck home (on a truck), examination of the failed over-center link clearly showed that the riveted-in threaded rod-end (AN490 type) had failed (separated) because very little of the steel insert remained after drilling thru for the rivet. The rod-end had to be inserted in the link with a structural epoxy and drilled thru - so when the rivet hole was drilled, the rod-end could not be removed for inspection - the rivet hole had to be centered exactly for maximum strength but you just had to take your accuracy on faith.

Needless to say, I immediately grounded my 235 (with the same design) and had a local machinist make a steel replacement for the link with a threaded bore. I replaced the non-treaded rod-ends with internally threaded units and connected the links and rod-ends with a length of threaded stainless all-thread. I had 10 sets made and they were sold to other LNC2 owners in a week.

Within a month or so, the factory came out with an essentially identical version - with the advice that the old links be replaced.

Grayhawk tickled the old memory, so I bring all this up to alert anybody flying an early LNC2 to make the change. The old links are a weak point and if you've still got 'em, the next landing (or take-off) with a unusual lateral load (cross-wind or whatever) could be quite costly.

Dan Schaefer