Follows Numerous Reports Of Landing Gear Failures

The FAA has posted a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) directed towards owners, operators, and maintenance technicians of Mooney International Corporation Models M20, M20A, M20B, M20C, M20D, M20E, M20F, M20G, M20J, M20K, M20L, M20M, M20R, M20S, and M20TN airplanes (under Type Certificate Data Sheet 2A3). The SAIB provides information stressing the importance to comply with the 100-hour/annual inspections and rigging checks of the main and nose landing gear specified in the applicable Mooney Service and Maintenance Manual.

The FAA is aware of a number of landing gear failures on Mooney M20 Series (specific models referenced in the Introduction section) airplanes related to improper maintenance, age and operational use related deterioration, and/or failure to perform established inspection and rigging requirements and procedures in applicable maintenance instructions.

Mooney International Corporation recently released Service Instruction (SI) M20-122 dated December 12, 2013 addressing this issue. The SI stresses the importance of performing thorough and complete annual (100-hour) inspections of your Mooney M20( ) Series airplane’s main and nose landing gear for safe condition and proper rigging following the applicable Service and Maintenance Manual and the 100 Hour Inspection Guide. Performing this maintenance is critical to protecting the investment in your Mooney airplane and to ensure its safe operation.

The FAA recommends owners and operators of the listed airplanes comply with Mooney International Corporation Service Instruction M20-122 by following the applicable Mooney 100 Hour Inspection Guide and Service and Maintenance Manual instructions at each annual (100-hour) inspection.

(Image from file)

FMI: SAIB