AD 97-26-08 Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models M20F, M20J, and M20L Airplanes

Makes named: mooney. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

The following Models and serial numbered airplanes, certificated in any category. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Models Serial numbers ------------------------------------------------------------------------ M20F............................... All serial numbers. M20J............................... 24-0001 through 24-3381. M20L............................... 26-0001 through 26-0041. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished. [[Page 66268]] To prevent loss of engine power and fuel depletion during flight caused by a false fuel gauge reading, accomplish the following: (a) Remove the lanyard (nylon type material) from the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) fuel filler cap assembly in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS section of Mooney Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin M20-259, Issue Date: September 1, 1996. (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76193-0150. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office. Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office. (d) The removal required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Mooney Aircraft Service Bulletin M20-259, Issue Date: September 1, 1996. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Mooney Aircraft Corporation, Louis Schreiner Field, Kerrville, Texas, 78028. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (e) This amendment (39-10251) becomes effective on January 20, 1998. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 9, 1997. Michael Gallagher, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 97-32849 Filed 12-17-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U