Pilot Debrief

MOONEY M20F near Cottonwood, AZ — 2010-07-02

Final reportWPR10LA340
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Date
2010-07-02
Location
Cottonwood, AZ, USA
Airport
P52
Aircraft
MOONEY M20F
Registration
N6802V
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to lower the landing gear prior to landing.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, during final approach he completed the landing checklist and confirmed that the green down and locked gear light was illuminated. On touchdown the airplane dropped onto its belly and slid about 200 feet before coming to rest on the runway. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the airplane’s belly skin and outer surfaces of the landing gear doors. This damage, in addition to the lack of damage to the landing gear extension and retraction push rods, was indicative of the landing gear being retracted and the doors closed at the time of impact. Additionally, during the examination the landing gear was cycled several times, with no anomalies noted.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not check the gear locked plate before landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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