I am looking at buying a M5-235C in the Atlanta area and am wondering if anyone has recommendations for a mechanic in the area that can do a pre purchase inspection for me later this month (May).

Send a pm to MauleMechanic here on this site. His name is Bryan and he works at Maule Flight. Probably one of the best in the business.

Thank you I will give him a shout and see what he says.

Whatever you do, get Bryan if you can, or an expert on Maule's.

An acquaintance just bought an Arrow that did have a Pre-Purchase Inspection and the mechanic said it was a good plane.

His annual is being done right now and the bill is already over $12,000 and climbing.

Broken ribs, caulked fuel tanks, cracks in engine support, etc.............

If I purchase another used plane I will have an Annual done on it before the purchase.

I second the Maule Flight suggestion. Great folks. Great service.

Like a prepurchase, the annual is only as good as the mechanic. I bought my Maule with zero flight time since annual, brought it home and spent a couple of months bringing stuff up to what I would consider reasonable airworthy standards. I had crawled around it for a couple of hours and pretty well knew what I was buying but knew I didn't want to fly it for a year like it was.

Just saying know your mechanic whether it is prepurchase, annual, or just a casual look.

I think I would have to talk to someone if a pre purchase inspection missed those type of items. Usually the pre purchase will point out things that would be nice to have done not airworthy items. Again thought it goes back to finding an experienced trusted honest mechanic who will always be in demand. Good luck to your friend Mau Mau.

A pre-purchase inspection should be performed the same as a 100hr/annual inspection minus the oil change etc.....no required labor, just an inspection.

The factory did my inspection in April when I bought my airplane. I have a lot more confidence in their opinion. Kit even remembered the original owner.

Hotrod, That must have been Maule Flight. They are not part of the factory and are a separate entity. The factory is not allowed to work on certificated aircraft (thanks to our friendly FAA). But Maule Flight knows their stuff. Good people down there, even if they are packing.