SDR 96ZZZX5717

Service difficulty report · Elevator · Mooney M20J

Difficulty date
October 2, 1996
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N88EY
Make and model
Mooney M20J
Aircraft serial
243128
Part
Elevator
Part number
430026002
Condition
Loose Skin
Location
Rt Elev
Part time
925 hours
Stage of operation
IN
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

BOTH ELEVATORS ON THIS 1989 AIRCRAFT WITH ONLY 925 HRS HAVE LOOSE SKINS. THE RT ELEVATOR TOP SKIN IS LOOSE AT THE ROW OF RIVETS ALONG THE SPAR; THE LT ELEVATOR IS THE SAME EXCEPT THE BOTTOM SKIN IS LOOSE. THE BALANCE WEIGHTS AT THE ELEVATOR TIPS CAN BE FLEXED UP AND DOWN AT LEAST AN INCH IN EACH DIRECTION. SUBMITTER STATES THE ELEVATORS HAVE LOST ALL RIGIDITY WHICH COULD EASILY CONTRIBUTE TO OR PRECIPITATE A FLUTTER. NO APPARENT CAUSE CAN BE DETERMINED.

More about the Mooney M20J