Scary Floatplane Crash

[pelmet]

I figured that this on deserved its own thread. Still tryimg to figure out why the failure caused a crash....

"C-GYBB, a privately registered float-equipped Piper PA-22-150X, operating under a special
certificate of airworthiness - owner maintenance, was conducting a flight from Flin Flon/Channing
Water Aerodrome (CJK8), MB, to Moose Jaw, SK. While in cruise approximately 1000 feet above
ground level, C-GYBB experienced a rudder post failure above the upper hinge attach point. The
aircraft became uncontrollable and turned left 90 degrees and, shortly after, went nose down. The
aircraft crashed into a forest approximately 16 nautical miles west of Cumberland House
Aerodrome (CJT4), SK. The pilot and sole occupant was able to exit the aircraft and transmitted an
SOS through a satellite tracking device. The signal was received by the satellite tracking company
who then contacted the RCMP. The ELT was also triggered in the accident and JRCC Trenton
coordinated with Saskatchewan RCMP who were able to locate the aircraft and rescue the pilot.
The pilot was subsequently taken to hospital with a serious injury. The aircraft was substantially
damaged.
The Piper Aircraft company released a mandatory Service Bulletin 1379B on 7 May 2024 to
inspect and/or replace a rudder post manufactured from 1025 carbon steel. The FAA later released
Airworthiness Directive 2025-02-11 on 20 March 2025 due to reports of non-fatal accidents that
were caused by rudder posts manufactured from 1025 carbon steel that structurally failed above
the upper hinge in flight."

....from TSB.