Airworthiness Directive 97-26-08
one-timeAirworthiness Directives; Mooney Aircraft Corporation Models M20F, M20J, and M20L Airplanes
What this AD requires
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Mooney Aircraft Corporation (Mooney) Models M20F, M20J, and M20L airplanes. This action requires 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 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 this AD are intended to prevent loss of engine power and fuel depletion during flight caused by a false fuel gauge reading.
Which aircraft AD 97-26-08 applies to
Specific model/serial applicability list is in the preceding applicability provision, not present in this excerpt. Action requires removal of the nylon lanyard from LH/RH fuel filler cap assemblies per Mooney Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin M20-259 to prevent false fuel gauge readings.
Whether AD 97-26-08 actually applies to your aircraft (by serial and installed parts) and whether it’s already complied with comes from that aircraft’s records.
How AD compliance is recorded
A valid compliance record (14 CFR 43.9) states:
Tailplate reads a tail number’s logbooks and matches every applicable AD — including this one — to its compliance evidence, with recurring next-due dates computed.
Look up a tail number →Read the full directive (Federal Register)Applicability is derived from the FAA directive corpus and is advisory, not a legal airworthiness determination. Compliance is established only from an aircraft’s actual records.