Help needed with emergency-exit latch-cover installation.

[cnoe]

After a recent thread about inadvertent opening of a baggage door in flight I opted to replace the missing emergency-exit latch-cover in my J. In the 8 years I've owned the plane it has never had the cover installed. Though SB-M20-239A has been complied with there is some chance that shifting baggage or a clumsy passenger could accidentally pull the safety-pin and pull the lever while in flight. While I find this unlikely it's still a possibility. So being safety minded, I purchased a new cover from Plane Plastics to install over the exposed latch.

The problem is that neither Plane Plastics, the Mooney parts manual, nor the Mooney service manual offer any guidance or drawings. I'd like to know how the plastic cover is secured over the latch in the factory configuration. I could probably just secure it with Velcro but if someone could describe (and possibly provide a picture) of their installation I would be most appreciative.

I'll provide a pic of the new cover below for reference.

Thanks,

CNoe

[cnoe]

Thanks for the pic and comments!

I have similar screws in place but they didn't appear to be positioned optimally for securing the cover; one is closer to the lever than the other. From what I can tell yours seems to be similarly spaced. Looking at this pic (below) previously posted by @PT20J it appears that the lower screw hole is indeed located much closer to the handle than the upper screw hole for some reason.

I guess I just need to cut an appropriate slot in each side of the cover and trim to fit.

Thank you very much for the quick reply!

CNoe

 

[cnoe]

FYI, here's how mine's been for the past 7+ years (note existing screws).

CNoe

 

[Lance Link]

I just took my apart to fix it a while ago.  It is just held on by little screws, looks like it is made to be easily ripped off by hand to get to the wire.  If you can find one to look at, it will become instantly clear how it works.

[carusoam]

My 94 O

Is held in place with the two screws...

And has a big hole in the end to grasp the cover with...

Just adding a point of data...

Best regards and Hey Chuck! 

-a-

[mooniac15u]

My emergency latch cover is in rough shape. I have the replacement part but I can’t tell from my old one what the screw holes/notches should look like. It looks like there were pictures in this thread that are now gone. Anyone have a picture of theirs? Should it have notches or just screw holes? If it’s notches are they v-shaped.

[mooniac15u]

A web search turned up these two photos. One appears to have holes and the other has notches. 

[dkkim73]

Mine IIRC has two thin rectangular slots, open at the edge. That way the screw head has surface to grab but a strong shove will deform it enough that the edge will pull past the screw. Having an open slot vs just a closed hole prevents needing to tear plastic to remove it in an emergency ( or a demonstration to passengers). 

Adjust the screws so there is friction but not super tight. 

If I get to the plane soon I'll send you a picture. 

HTH 

[PT20J]

The original had notches. The idea is that you grab the finger hole and rip it off in an emergency. It will come off easier if the holes are notched to the edge of the plastic. The original was pretty thin making it easy to remove (and easy to crack around the holes). The Plane Plastics part may be thicker making it even more important to notch the holes.

[IvanP]

Mine is attached by velcro strips. I think it is not the original piece - no notches or holes in the plastic cover. 

[PT20J]

15 hours ago, IvanP said:

Mine is attached by velcro strips. I think it is not the original piece - no notches or holes in the plastic cover. 

Probably the Vantage (a.k.a. Plane Plastics) replacement. Their parts usually need trimming.

[kortopates]

This plastic part was less than $10 last time i replaced it, i am sure it’s more now but as far as aircraft parts go it’s negligible. Last time i installed one i was much more concerned about baggage not nocking it off in flight. After all, it was the missing cover and a full baggage area that suspiciously may have led to the UK K model’s baggage door opening in flight with the door departing the airframe and getting stuck in the elevator necessitating an emergency landing directly below him.
So I’d prefer this to be securely attached until it’s ripped off intentionally. I don’t think it will take much with the two little sheet metal screws holding it on without notches.
Although the odds of needing to use it an off field landing are more than just slim.


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