First Time Aircraft Buyer - M20G

[Semper Mooney]

I am preparing to purchase N56CP out of North Ohio (1970 M20G).  I wanted to reach out to this group to see if someone is familiar with the aircraft.  It recently went through some avionics upgrades and had some damage (gear up) in 2020. For what it's worth, Ive been told it was a great landing (minus the gear).

Any insight anyone may have on the plane would be valuable.  Thank you!

[AlexLev]

I have a G model I've owned for about 7-ish years. Not familiar with that particular plane you're purchasing, but I'd recommend having Airmods or Weber do a prebuy if you can fly it that far.

Have you looked through the logs? Have you requested a CD from the FAA with the planes records?

[Semper Mooney]

Thanks AleLev,  I am working on the ppre-buy now, might be difficult to get it to Airmods or Weber, but I am going to look into both of those options.  I have not heard about the CD from the FAA.  Im going to start researching that now to figure out what Im missing.  Thank you!

Update: I just ordered the aircraft records from the FAA.  Thanks for the tip!

Edited December 26, 2023 by Semper Mooney

[LANCECASPER]

21 minutes ago, Semper Mooney said:

Thanks AleLev,  I am working on the ppre-buy now, might be difficult to get it to Airmods or Weber, but I am going to look into both of those options.  I have not heard about the CD from the FAA.  Im going to start researching that now to figure out what Im missing.  Thank you!

Update: I just ordered the aircraft records from the FAA.  Thanks for the tip!

Here’s the Form 337 on the damage from 2021: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qwq4fdfygb9w0q9acap0n/N56CP-Form-337.pdf?rlkey=p4f2ckmoqj0ysp23k75zkgej5&dl=0

 

You can get the records from cares.faa.gov

[Semper Mooney]

LANCECASPER,  

Thank you! I am new to this community, but thankful to have the support!  Reading older posts has been a massive help.  I hope to join your ranks shortly.

[LANCECASPER]

1 minute ago, Semper Mooney said:

LANCECASPER,  

Thank you! I am new to this community, but thankful to have the support!  Reading older posts has been a massive help.  I hope to join your ranks shortly.

Here are the records from 1970-1990: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/fi8awgut00sa6y5ewrbct/N56CP-1970_1990.pdf?rlkey=5kf1c6cfb5x1w2qm1zi2ioag6&dl=0

2018: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mb2p9b6j06oq4jamkgkph/N56CP-2018.pdf?rlkey=1nghnxlflh27sz995fbyc0y2i&dl=0

2014: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xdqqruldt6an8o9mperrh/N56CP-2014.pdf?rlkey=esj6xjp5ve6hqnvd09pivzmn1&dl=0

2011: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vtd5oqv3aj8y3th7skoz2/N56CP-2011.pdf?rlkey=gifl7pjbze3g2pcaij7pbaonw&dl=0

[Semper Mooney]

Amazing.  Faster than I could even begin to research!  Thank you!

[Danb]

Our Lance knows to much.. awesome source of knowledge 

D

[Pinecone]

Another option for the pre-buy is @jetdriven at KGAI.

[Semper Mooney]

I'll look into @jetdriven.  Thank you!

[Fritz1]

Welcome aboard, I had a 68 G-model 25 years ago, good airplane, biggest repair landing gear actuator, smoked existing one with emergency crank and replaced with 201 actuator with emergency pull cable, there was a factory mod kit, art of the deal for the prebuy will be finding someone who knows Mooneys and can swing it quickly, you may have to draw the circle wider if closer shops are booked, Oasis in Wilmar MN comes to mind, they are affiliated with WeepNoMore who did my tanks, OASIS is a well respected MSC, a little closer Byerly in Peoria IL comes to mind, solid shop and MSC, primarily known for Rockwell Commanders, like to touch base and chat with the shop manager when I refuel there, he typically steps into lobby when he sees a Mooney on the ramp.

[Semper Mooney]

Thank @Fritz1,  I appreciate the advice and will look to coordinate with a solid shop for the prebuy.  if that isnt possible based on timelines, anyone ever use a generic checklist to help a less familiar shop focus on what's important?

[ZuluZulu]

https://lasar.com/prebuy-check-list

[cliffy]

I add to the above -

Model and serial number of engine, prop and all major electronics in log book to what is installed in aircraft. 

Aircraft have been sold with bad numbers installed. 

[A64Pilot]

12 hours ago, cliffy said:

I add to the above -

Model and serial number of engine, prop and all major electronics in log book to what is installed in aircraft. 

Aircraft have been sold with bad numbers installed. 

More frequently than you would imagine, it’s not really even uncommon to find one with a prop that’s not allowed. Not a specific Mooney comment, just aircraft in common.

I’ve even seen a Walmart lawnmower battery before

[cliffy]

Just because its a 4 cylinder Lycoming doesn't mean its allowed in your airplane. 

BTDT

Verify EVERYTHING before money changes hands

never trust anything anyone selling an airplane is saying (goes for cars also)!

Check it out yourself.