I bought N4875D in fall 2012. It’s the first and only airplane I’ve owned, a Mooney M20F. As with any vintage vehicle, it’s been an adventure tracking down the various nits, bugs and deferred maintenance items. We’d been through the hydraulics, engine, prop and fuel system. When I took it in for an annual this past October, we’d mostly come to the end of the list of things to fix, so I went ahead and had the generator swapped out for a new Plane-Power alternator kit.
Post-Maintenance Test Pilot
Key Takeaways:
- A pilot experienced an immediate, severe engine oil leak dousing his windshield shortly after takeoff, forcing him to make an emergency return and land with almost no forward visibility.
- The incident was caused by a high-pressure prop governor line fitting that was left completely loose after recent maintenance (alternator installation) and was only partially threaded on.
- The key takeaway emphasizes the critical need for thorough post-maintenance testing, including extended ground runs, full-power checks, and meticulous oil leak inspections, before the first flight.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
