M20C pre buy inspection

[jetpilot12]

Hello All,

 

I'm buying a 1963 M20C after the first of the year. As an A&P I will be doing the pre buy myself.

Other than the obvious things to look for, what should I be concerned about when looking at the M20C?

 

Thank you,

Jon  

[orionflt]

Make sure you read up on the service bulletins for corrosion in the tubular structure, especially since the airplane is out of Florida. also look at the spar areas and open the access panels around the fuel tank area to look for fuel leaks and seeps.... make sure the tanks are topped off, they have a tendency to leak near the top of the tank. i have a 62 C and i have been all thru mine several time so i can probable help you with any specific questions you may come up with. I do not know how in depth you want to go on your pre buy, but i recommend pulling the belly (time consuming pain but worth it) and the forward and mid interior panels to get a good look at the tubular structure.

 

Brian 

[BigTex]

Hello All,

I'm buying a 1963 M20C after the first of the year. As an A&P I will be doing the pre buy myself.

Other than the obvious things to look for, what should I be concerned about when looking at the M20C?

Thank you,

Jon

Even though your an A&P I would still recommend taking it to a MSC to check it out. There are a lot of Mooney specific items that unless you work on them all them time, you could over look. Have someone like Don Maxwell fly it. He'll know before leaving the pattern if it's a good plane.

[pirate]

Most any smart / competent A&P should be able to do a pre buy on a Mooney. Basic AD's, service bulletins and general corrosion inspections of airframe, spar, tanks etc.

Congrats

[rbridges]

corrosion was the first thing that came to mind, too.   fuel leaks are another big item.

[jetpilot12]

So far everyone is telling me what I wanted to hear. Corrosion, fuel leaks and tubular structure. I have a shop setup at Ft. Myer's to do a compression check, oil change and mag check.

I also have a full list of service bulletins and AD's to check for.  

[orionflt]

where will you be based out of if and when you buy it?

[orionflt]

Quick run down of the accident history, i would take a real good look at the logs and ensure the proper tear down and inspections had been done. if they just did the run out and replaced the pin in the crank (previous standard requirements) i would consider walking away, but with 1500+ hours on the engine you could just go right for the overhaul. also the price is high for the damage history and the engine time.

 

 

 

------- FAA Accident/Incident 1 -------

Occurrence Date 1988-10-30      Aircraft Make MOONEY Aircraft Model M20C      Damage MINOR Document Last Modified 2012-08-08                Narrative GEAR COLLAPSED ON ROLLOUT. PILOTS STATED THAT GEAR WAS DOWN AND LOCKED. GEAR CHECK ON JACKS INDICATED NORMAL GEAR.   ***** No NTBS Accidents Found *****   ------- NTBS Pre 1982 Accident 1 ------- Qccurrence Date 1967-12-27      Aircraft Make MOONEY Aircraft Model M20C      Aircraft Serial Number   Damage SUBSTANTIAL      Accident Location SPRINGFIELD,VT Occurrences HARD LANDING
GEAR COLLAPSED      Phase of Flight LANDING - LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
LANDING - ROLL Causes IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM BOUNCED LANDING
OVERLOAD FAILURE      Narrative ACFT PORPOISED ON LNDG.   ------- NTBS Pre 1982 Accident 2 ------- Qccurrence Date 1967-05-05      Aircraft Make MOONEY Aircraft Model M20C      Aircraft Serial Number   Damage SUBSTANTIAL      Accident Location SO.HACKENSACK,NJ Occurrences GEAR RETRACTED      Phase of Flight LANDING - ROLL Causes GEAR LOCKING MECHANISM
BINDING
LACK OF LUBRICATION-SPECIFIC PART,NOT SYSTEM
INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION      Narrative FROZEN BEARING PREVENTED COMPLETE ENGAGEMENT OFTHE LOCK MECHANISM PAST OVERCENTER.  

[jetpilot12]

I will be based out of Crowley, Louisiana

[jetpilot12]

Orionflt,

 

Please send me an email at marfly3@bellsouth.net I have a few questions if you don't mind.