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

Résumé

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Mooney Airplane Company, Inc. Models M20M and M20R airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to retorque the upper left and upper right engine mounting hardware as an interim action. This proposed AD would also require 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 proposed 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 proposing 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.