Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Model M20J Airplanes

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 95-26-16 R1, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of certain Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Model M20J airplanes. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the alternate air door assembly to ensure a cotter pin exists and is secure, and replacing the cotter pin if it does not exist or is not secure. It also provides the option of incorporating an alternate air door plate assembly of improved design as terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Priority letter AD 95-26-16 R1 was prompted by a fatal accident involving one of the affected airplanes where the alternate air door became lodged in the air intake of the fuel injector causing engine failure. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the alternate air door from separating from the airplane and restricting air flow to the engine.