M-20 S Eagle
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 1; Flight Crew Total 842; Flight Crew Type 719
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft; Human Factors
I arrived at ZZZ to pick up my aircraft from maintenance. An annual inspection was completed along with additional work of installing new windshield and side windows. Upon arrival at the mechanic's hangar I noticed the 3 logbooks which appeared to have been completed and signed as airworthy. Inspecting the aircraft however I noticed a slight droop on the right side flap and questioned whether the aircraft was airworthy. After a long explanation from the mechanic he stated that it was airworthy as it was. I expressed this condition should be repaired properly to which he agreed; however he stated that the aircraft could still be flown safely as it was and that he would repair the issue immediately after I took the aircraft for a test flight to ensure no other issues. I agreed to the test flight to a nearby local airport ZZZ1 along with one of the mechanic's employees. I landed at ZZZ1 and proceeded to fuel the aircraft. While fueling; I noticed the front tire slowly went flat. We re-filled the front tire in order to push the aircraft away from the fueling area and subsequently unable to find source of the leak. We called the same mechanic from ZZZ to replace the tire and waited for several hours because the mechanic was away at a doctor's appointment. When he arrived; we replaced the front tire and he instructed us to return to ZZZ so that we could address the flap issue. Prior to landing at ZZZ; I first noticed that the flaps would no longer actuate; therefore completed a no flap landing. The mechanic and I spent the next several hours working on the flap issue back at his hangar at ZZZ. The right flap was adjusted and no longer drooping. The mechanic was able to actuate and cycle the flaps. Upon completion I asked the mechanic about logging this repair and he stated that he considers what we just did was 'trouble-shooting' and therefore not required to be input into the aircraft's logbooks. I asked whether the part we just adjusted on the flaps should be replaced to which the mechanic stated that it is unnecessary but if it would make me happy; he'd order a new part and replace it at a later date. The mechanic also asked me for an additional $1;500 at the time to which I asked for an invoice in order to clarify the purpose of the payment. He stated for labor to which I stated that I did not have my checkbook on me & that I still needed at detailed invoice before any payment would be made. At that time; my logbooks were sitting on a table in the hangar. I excused myself to use the restroom and wash my hands. Upon returning I had a short conversation with the mechanic and confirmed with him the aircraft was airworthy as is with the flaps as they were adjusted by him and no further entries necessary before flight (with respect to any work completed). I noticed my logbooks were no longer on the table to which he said you have everything in the plane and that since it was late; we can continue discussion the following day and schedule a time to return to ZZZ in order to change the part(s) as I requested. Prior to departing ZZZ; the mechanic gave no indication that I would need a ferry permit for any purpose (either to fly home or to return to ZZZ to finalize the flap repairs) and the mechanic stated that no further logbook entries were necessary at this time.I departed ZZZ believing but not verifying the logbooks were in the aircraft. On the way to my home airport at ZZZ2; I radioed ATC in order to establish two way radio communication underneath Bravo airspace and to obtain flight following on the way back to ZZZ2.  ATC however informed me they were not picking up my transponder.  Additionally; I noticed a noise from under the front seat which I could not isolate the cause during flight. I landed at ZZZ2 and parked the aircraft in the hangar. Checking the flaps on the ground; they no longer worked.Over the next couple days; I called and texted the mechanic at ZZZ to discuss the flap issues and the new found issues with the noise I heard during flight; the transponder; and scratches I found on the aircraft and windshield. Around this time; I noticed that my aircraft logbooks were not in my aircraft and confirmed with the mechanic that he actually still had the logbooks. He stated he was not motivated to return them until he receives his money. I again asked for an invoice so there was no confusion with respect to the purpose of any further payment he claimed due to which he responded 'who cares; you owe me period'. In addition; he stated that I could not fly the plane either because he would enter into the logbooks all the squawk items that I mentioned to him as discrepancies to make the aircraft unairworthy unless I paid him in full his demanded amount. In order to try to resolve this dispute; I drove to the mechanic's shop and after a long discussion we agreed to settle the matter with me paying him $500 that day and paying $700 at a later date and after he addressed all my squawk items.  He turned over my propeller and engine logbooks at this time (both were unaltered and still had his signature signing off the annual inspection). I stated I needed the airframe logbook as well to which he responded that he will retain control of it. He further stated that if I played by his rules; I would receive the logbook back; unaltered and with the annual signed off; however if I did not; he would make the aircraft unairworthy. I explained that I would not agree to make any payment unless I receive all my logbooks and the aircraft would be repaired. After discussion; he finally agreed to repair my aircraft and receive the $700 at a later date at which point he'd return my final logbook. I wrote out a check for $500 and specified our agreed to terms on the face of the check. I contacted the mechanic the following week to ask if I could return to repair the outstanding squawk issues. In response he stated no; he wanted all his money. At this time; I found that the $500 check I wrote to him was altered by him.After asking for over a month for return of my logbook and an invoice; the mechanic sent back to me.  I sought a new mechanic and ferry permit for the purpose of properly repairing the aircraft. Only later did I learned from the FAA that a permit would not be granted because a complaint was made that I flew an unairworthy aircraft. I first saw the mechanic's signature was now missing from the airframe logbook (same logbook that was returned to me).
Mooney M20S pilot reported Maintenance on aircraft was not completed and pilot is now in violation of FAR's for flying aircraft.