Pilot Debrief

MOONEY AIRCRAFT CORP. M20K near Conway, SC — 2024-05-03

Final reportERA24LA218
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Date
2024-05-03
Location
Conway, SC, USA
Airport
HYW
Aircraft
MOONEY AIRCRAFT CORP. M20K
Registration
N3777
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing.

NTSB narrative

The airplane had just undergone an annual inspection and the pilot was returning to the airport after conducting a post-maintenance flight test. The pilot stated that he made a normal approach to land with both the flaps and landing gear extended. He further described that upon landing, the airplane settled to the runway, and skidded to a stop resulting in substantial damage to the lower fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed minor damage to the nose landing gear door and no damage to the main landing gear doors. The landing gear was subsequently cycled several times using both normal and emergency methods. No evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were noted that would have precluded normal operation of the landing gear system. Based on this information, it is most likely that the pilot landed the airplane with the landing gear still retracted.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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