Emergency AD on Acclaim and Ovation

[gsengle]

Anyone know more about the story behind this?  Wanted to make sure people saw this - I subscribe to these as emails from the FAA.

 

Any idea why it only applies to newer Ovations?

 

Greg

[gsengle]

Quote: gsengle

Anyone know more about the story behind this?  Wanted to make sure people saw this - I subscribe to these as emails from the FAA.

 

Any idea why it only applies to newer Ovations?

 

Greg

[Seth]

Due to importance, I'm copying and pasting what was on the other thread posted earlier today under Miscellaneous Avaition Talk - maybe should have been under Mondern Mooney Discussions.  Regardless, here is the MOONEY AD for Ovation and Acclaim

http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?mainaction=posts&forumid=4&threadid=4420

DATE: February 10, 2012

 

Background

This emergency AD was prompted by a report of an incident on a Mooney Model M20TN airplane regarding the tail pitch trim assembly. In this report, the affected airplane experienced an un-commanded significant pitch up attitude within seconds after takeoff and during the climb. The pilot then pushed the yoke forward and the aircraft still maintained a nose-up attitude.

The pilot stated that the "forces acting on the control column were so large that single pilot wasn't able to handle that for more than just a few minutes." The pilot and copilot had to use their knees to hold forward pressure on the flight controls to aid in preventing a departure from controlled flight. They had to maintain between 80 to 100 percent power to keep the aircraft at about 90 knots indicated airspeed to prevent the airplane from stalling. The only way they were able to descend was to introduce a series of turns.

On Mooney Models M20TN and M20R airplanes, the pitch trim is adjusted by rotating the entire tail assembly. The actuating arm pushes on a hinge fixed to the empennage forward bulkhead. The hinge attaches to the bulkhead using 10 Huck Bolt fasteners with swaged collars.

This aircraft was immediately inspected, and all 10 swaged collars that hold the tail trim assembly together had become unattached.

Mooney inspected several other aircraft and found that on one airplane the filler plate was incorrectly installed. The filler plate was not correctly installed between the aft side of the hinge and the bulkhead. Instead, the filler plate was located on the forward side of the hinge between the hinge and trim fitting. It was then noted the incident aircraft had the same issue, as shown in the upper circle of figure 1.

Because the hinge has a lip on the bottom, on the side toward the bulkhead (as shown in the bottom circle of figure 1), if the filler plate is not installed correctly, the hinge will not fit flush against the bulkhead, the Huck Bolt fasteners will not fit perpendicular to the bulkhead, and the collars will not swage properly. The condition also causes excessive tension pre-load on the Huck Bolts.

Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-03-52 is sent to owners and operators of Mooney Aviation Company, Inc. (Mooney) Models M20TN and M20R airplanes.

AD #: 2012-03-52

[jetdriven]

They discovered two airplanes with the wrong spacer stacking, which can cause failure of the huckbolts.  Perhps thats the model year they hired a new employee to assemble that part.

[daveydog]

my acclaim goes in tomorrow.  so far Arapahoe Aero did three airplanes and all were okay.  I sure hope mine does as well.  Its true that the spacer is missing on the rouge airplanes they found so far.  Pretty bothersome that this can happen.  Regardless, I'm glad the pilot of the subject airplane is okay.  I sure wish Mooney would also be more responsive while in this shut-down mode.  I understand the owner is a billionaire and can afford to keep the company up until sold, but in the meantime, I am waiting for a spring for my landing gear (mandatory service bulletin at 1000 hours) as well as a resolution to the oil/air separator issue on the acclaims.  Anyone have any information on these issues?  Thanks!

[thinwing]

this is a really easy ad to check your self...it involves removing 6 0r7 screws from (right side or copilots side easier )to remove sheet metal fairing...the hinge and spacers and huckbolts are than completely visable...should take maybe 10 min. total to check...1hr to write it up...a real dilly of a job to replace all 10 huckbolts...kpc

[sellis]

 I am waiting for a spring for my landing gear

The springs have been on order since mid Dec. We were quoted 90 day leadtime and are due end of March. We have no control over the vendors. The spring is mfg by another vendor of the mfg of the actuator I have know idea who you are because know one uses their real name on this website for some reason (there are a few that do). Just wanted to let you know that these parts are on order since you made it sound like Mooney wasn't supporting you.

This thread needs to stay about the Emergency AD. We need all that this AD applies to have the inspection done and send the compliance card to Mooney either by email support@mooney.com or fax 830-257-4635.

 

[Daniel]

Mine was done, and no problems.

What I found really interesting--frightening?--was that the Des Moines FSDO called me personally to make sure I was aware of it. Apparently, the FAA is truly worried.

[orangemtl]

Mine's being inspected this week: heard of it through my FBO yesterday. Fingers crossed...

[andysmith11]

Had mine inspected on Thursday, and was fine.

[mpponte]

I spoke with Premier of FLA, who sold my Acclaim, and they recommended to remove the plate on the pilots side. But the Mooney AD says both sides have to be removed and each of the 10 bolts tested for looseness, you will need a mirror to look at the tail section. If a loose screw is found, my understanding is that the whole tail of the A/C has to come out.

[orangemtl]

Mine was fine (31-0036).  Any idea what the serial was on the index aircraft?