Summary
This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Models M20F, M20J, and M20L airplanes. The proposed action would require removing the fuel cap retaining lanyard from the fuel filler cap assemblies. A report of lost engine power during flight because of fuel starvation prompted the proposed action. The investigation revealed that the airplane fuel float became trapped by the fuel cap retaining lanyard, keeping the float from following the fuel level. This condition caused the pilot to get a false fuel quantity reading. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of engine power and fuel depletion during flight caused by a false fuel gauge reading.