Mooney M20

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney International Corporation Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Mooney International Corporation Model M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, and M20G airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the hybrid material elevator balance weight cracking. This AD requires inspecting to determine whether a certain elevator balance weight is installed. If installed, this AD requires inspecting each affected elevator balance weight for corrosion and cracking, and depending on the findings, either replacing each affected elevator balance weight with a non- hybrid (lead) elevator balance weight or repetitively inspecting each affected elevator balance weight. This AD also prohibits the installation of an affected elevator balance weight on any airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney International Corporation Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Mooney International Corporation (Mooney) Model M20V airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of short circuit and arcing of the alternator main power cable in the engine compartment. This condition, if unaddressed, could result in a fire hazard, loss of engine thrust control, and reduced control of the airplane. This AD requires inspecting the alternator main power cable and the exhaust crossover tube for damage, replacing damaged parts as necessary, and installing an additional alternator cable clamp. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney International Corporation Airplanes

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Mooney International Corporation Models M20C, M20E, M20M, M20R, and M20TN airplanes. This AD requires inspection of the outer empennage attach fittings for correct thickness with replacement as necessary. This AD was prompted by discovery of empennage attach fittings (Lugs) that do not meet the approved design dimensional requirements, which could result in possible reduction in fatigue or static strength and/or corrosion. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. (Mooney) Airplanes

We are issuing an airworthiness directive (AD) for all Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. (Mooney) Models M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, M20R, M20S, and M20TN airplanes that supersedes an existing AD that is applicable to certain Model M20R and M20TN airplanes. The existing AD currently requires inspecting the tail pitch trim assembly for correct positioning and proper attachment and inspecting the Huck Bolt fasteners for proper security with repair as necessary for certain Models M20R and M20TN. That AD also requires sending the inspection results to the FAA and Mooney. This AD retains all of the actions, except the reporting requirement from the previous AD and adds airplane models to the applicability. This AD was prompted by a report of an incident on a Mooney Model M20TN airplane regarding failure of the tail pitch trim assembly, which could result in loss of control. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. (Mooney) Airplanes

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. (Mooney) Models M20R and M20TN airplanes. This emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the tail pitch trim assembly for correct positioning and proper attachment and inspecting the Huck Bolt fasteners for proper security with repair as necessary. The AD also requires sending the inspection results to the FAA and Mooney. This AD was prompted by a report of an incident on a Mooney Model M20TN airplane regarding failure of the tail pitch trim assembly, which could result in loss of control. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Airplane Company, Inc., (Mooney) Models M20M and M20R Airplanes

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Mooney Airplane Company, Inc., Models M20M and M20R airplanes. This AD requires you to remove the upper left and upper right engine mount attaching hardware, cut out and remove the upholstery and insulation between the fuselage tubular frame and the firewall, and replace the upper left and upper right engine mount attaching hardware with the new parts kit. This AD results from failure of the engine mount attaching hardware to maintain torque as a result of firewall insulation and upholstery being compressed between the fuselage tubular frame and the firewall at the upper left and upper right engine mount attach points. We are issuing this AD to prevent the upper right and upper left engine mounting hardware from losing torque, which could result in a reduction in engine mount load carrying capability and could lead to engine mount failure.

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, and M20J Airplanes

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Models M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, and M20J airplanes equipped with an O & N Bladder Fuel Cell installed per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2277CE or STC SA2350CE. The STCs apply to all the affected airplane models except for Model M20B airplanes. Model M20B airplanes could have one of the STCs incorporated by field approval. This AD requires you to inspect the drain valve to assure that it is inserted fully into the drain nipple and modify any drain valve found not to be inserted fully into the drain nipple. This AD also requires certain modifications and replacements on the affected fuel cells to reduce the chances of water/ ice contamination. This AD is the result of reports of rainwater entering the fuel bladders and the information from the subsequent evaluation of the fuel systems. The actions specified by this AD are intended to assist in preventing water from entering the fuel bladders, which could result in rough engine operation or complete loss of engine power.

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Airplane Company, Inc., Model M20M Airplanes

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) to supersede Airworthiness Directive 91-03-15, which applies to certain Mooney Airplane Company, Inc., (Mooney) Model M20M airplanes. AD 91-03- 15 currently requires you to replace the tailpipe coupling with improved tailpipe coupling. Since we issued AD 91-03-15, a fire erupted in the lower left cockpit area on one of the airplanes affected by AD 91-03-15. The V-clamp that attaches the exhaust tailpipe to the turbocharger fell off, which allowed the exhaust tailpipe to detach from the turbocharger. Hot exhaust gases from the turbocharger outlet blasted the lower left firewall. This AD requires you to replace the existing radiant heat shield with the new improved design heat shield, deflector kit; replace the existing exhaust tailpipe-to-turbocharger V- band clamp with the new design V-band clamp; and modify the hydraulic brake fluid poly line. We are issuing this AD to prevent the V-clamp from detaching from the turbocharger and to prevent exposure of the firewall to hot exhaust gases, which could result in an in-flight fire. An in-flight fire could lead to loss of control of the airplane and passenger injury.

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Model M20R Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Model M20R airplanes. This AD requires either fabricating and installing a placard that specifies using the air conditioning system during cruise operations only or deactivating the air conditioning system so it cannot be used. This AD is the result of reports of the existence of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide during taxi, climb, and descent operations of the above-referenced airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent dangerous levels of carbon monoxide from entering the airplane cabin during takeoff, climb, and descent operations caused by the present flight cabin sealing design of the affected airplanes, which could result in passenger injury.

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, and M20R Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Models M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, and M20R airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the aileron control links for the installation of a reinforcing gusset; and, if no gusset is installed, repetitively inspecting the aileron control links (left-hand and right-hand) for cracks. If cracks are found, this AD requires replacing the aileron control links with parts of improved design. This AD is the result of service difficulty reports (SDR's) on the aileron control links and reported failures of the aileron control links. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct cracked aileron control links, which could result in loss of aileron control with consequent loss of control of the airplane.

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models M20J, M20K, M20M, and M20R Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Models M20J, M20K, M20M, and M20R airplanes. This AD requires grinding the surface of the main landing gear (MLG) leg bracket, inspecting this area for cracks, and replacing any cracked MLG leg bracket. This AD is the result of the manufacturing of several of the MLG leg brackets using laser pattern cutting. The brackets, when manufactured using this process, develop minor cracks at the bends, which could propagate over time. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the MLG side brace bolt caused by cracking of the MLG leg bracket, which could result in MLG collapse with consequent loss of control of the airplane during taxi, takeoff, or landing operations.

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models M20F, M20J, and M20L Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Models M20F, M20J, and M20L airplanes. This action requires removing the fuel cap retaining lanyard from the fuel filler cap assemblies. A report of lost engine power during flight because of fuel starvation prompted the action. The investigation revealed that the airplane fuel float became trapped by the fuel cap retaining lanyard, keeping the float from following the fuel level. This condition caused the pilot to get a false fuel quantity reading. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of engine power and fuel depletion during flight caused by a false fuel gauge reading.

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Model M20J Airplanes

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-26-16 R1, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of certain Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Model M20J airplanes. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the alternate air door assembly to ensure a cotter pin exists and is secure, and replacing the cotter pin if it does not exist or is not secure. It also provides the option of incorporating an alternate air door plate assembly of improved design as terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Priority letter AD 95-26-16 R1 was prompted by a fatal accident involving one of the affected airplanes where the alternate air door became lodged in the air intake of the fuel injector causing engine failure. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the alternate air door from separating from the airplane and restricting air flow to the engine.

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Model M20K Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Model M20K airplanes with a Continental TSIO-520-NB engine installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA5691NM. This action requires repetitively inspecting the exhaust transition tube and turbo mount assembly for cracks, and replacing any part found cracked. A report of a cracked exhaust transition tube that connects the exhaust manifolds to the turbocharger inlet on one of the affected airplanes prompted this action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent exhaust gases from entering the cabin heating system because of a cracked exhaust transition tube, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in hazardous levels of carbon monoxide in the airplane cabin.

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Model M20K Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Model M20K airplanes. This action requires inspecting to see if the airplane is equipped with a Gerdes fuel selector valve, part number (P/N) A-2580, and replacing any Gerdes fuel selector valve with an Airight fuel selector valve. Malfunction of a Gerdes fuel selector valve on an affected airplane, where the valve did not allow the operator to select the appropriate fuel tank, prompted this action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fuel selector valve malfunction, which, if not detected and corrected, will prevent the airplane operator from selecting the appropriate fuel tank, resulting in an unscheduled landing.

Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Model M20R Airplanes

This amendment supersedes priority letter Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-07-04, which currently requires the following on certain Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Model M20R airplanes: repetitively inspecting the exhaust system for cracks, replacing the exhaust system if any cracks are found, and reporting to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) any cracks found. This action retains the repetitive inspection requirement of AD 95-07-04 until the exhaust system is modified, and requires eventual modification of the exhaust system on the affected airplanes. Several reports of exhaust system cracks on Mooney Model M20R airplanes prompted this action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent an airplane engine fire that could result from exhaust system cracks.