Pilot Debrief

Mooney M20J near Romeoville, IL — 2011-02-19

Final reportCEN11FA220
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Date
2011-02-19
Location
Romeoville, IL, USA
Airport
KLOT
Aircraft
Mooney M20J
Registration
N888DF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The collapse of the left main landing gear during the landing roll for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the left main landing gear collapsed shortly after touchdown during the landing roll. The airplane subsequently veered to the left and struck a runway edge identifier light. A postaccident examination confirmed that the left main landing gear had partially collapsed into its wheel well. The nose and right main landing gear remained fully extended. Damage sustained to the push-pull tubes that extend and retract the main landing gear precluded the determination of why the left landing gear collapsed. However, the observed damage to the push-pull tubes was likely attributable to the collapse of the left landing gear during the accident sequence. With the exception of the damaged push-pull tubes, there were no additional mechanical or rigging anomalies found with the landing gear extension/retraction system. Additionally, the landing gear position warning horn, instrument panel indicator lights, and floor-mounted visual/mechanical indicator functioned as designed, providing proper indication that the landing gear was in the fully extended position before landing.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing after detecting issues with landing gear.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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