Wing inspection panels "pushed" in?

[skeptic]

I recently inspected an M20J and noticed that several of the wing lower surface inspection panels were not flush with the lower wing surface.  They were "bowed" inward in a concave shape, as if something had pushed them up into the wing.

 

Anyone know what might cause this?  Is it common with M20J's?

 

 

[larryb]

Mine looks a bit like this, but not quite as severe.

[Piloto]

The condition shown on the pictures happens when to much upward pressure is applied to the screws when removing or putting them. As pressure is applied the oval plate that holds the nutplates is bended upward. The thicknes of the oval plate that holds the nutplates is to thin, it should have been thicker to avoid this problem. You can fix this by removing the cover and just bending down by hand the oval plate perimeter. When reinstalling the cover just apply enough pressure to engage the screw. Use stainless steel screws to avoid the need to put too much force on them when later on removing them.

José

[N201MKTurbo]

It is odd that these plates have screws inside the parameter, it looks like they are fastened to something in the wing and over tightened to pull the panels flush with something in there.

[RJBrown]

Mine look that way a bit also. Jose' answer sound right to me. I will try your suggestion when I can

[Scott Aviation]

One thing I have noticed is the same panel fits in different locations ie. belly vs wing. On my 201 the belly inspection panels are completely flat while the wing wings have a bow in them to create shape when fitted tight. If you use one of the flat belly panels in these locations you will also have the same issue from what I can see in the picture. Just a thought. I agree with Jose that if you bend them that will work too.

[marks]

I had the same problem before I had my J painted at J&M Aviation in Middlebury VT. Mike made new oval pieces for the frames around the openings and reinstalled the covers after stripping, priming, painting and otherwise refurbishing them. His paint job was remarkable together with many other details. He insisted that I review inside the wheel wells during the job and seeing to it that any and all leaks no matter how small were corrected before priming and painting. All screws were replaced as suggested by Jose' and everything under the wing looks smooth.

[Alan Fox]

I dont know what the fasteners on the panels are for ,It should have fasteners in the the edge of the wing skin.... Maybe has to do with the landing light????  I have good used panels to replace them with if needed.....

[jlunseth]

Mine look that way also after 32 years of being taken off and put back on.  I would not worry about it.

[skeptic]

As follow up to my original post, I have since observed this condition on other Mooneys.  The following picture was taken of a 231 lower right wing panel: