Airworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models M20J, M20K, M20M, and M20R Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Models M20J, M20K, M20M, and M20R airplanes. This AD requires grinding the surface of the main landing gear (MLG) leg bracket, inspecting this area for cracks, and replacing any cracked MLG leg bracket. This AD is the result of the manufacturing of several of the MLG leg brackets using laser pattern cutting. The brackets, when manufactured using this process, develop minor cracks at the bends, which could propagate over time. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the MLG side brace bolt caused by cracking of the MLG leg bracket, which could result in MLG collapse with consequent loss of control of the airplane during taxi, takeoff, or landing operations.