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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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March 23, 1985 · Mooney M20J · N1140L

Ft. Smith, AR

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 23, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Ft. Smith, AR
Aircraft
Mooney M20J
Tail Number
N1140L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC85LA077

PLT STATED THAT AS THE ACFT LIFTED OFF THE RWY, HE HEARD A 'LOUD RACKET' SOMEWHERE IN THE ACFT. HE RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR TO DETERMINE IF THE GEAR WAS THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE. IT WAS NOT AND HE ABORTED THE FLIGHT BY CLOSING THE THROTTLE AND PUTTING THE GEAR HANDLE DOWN. THE LANDING GEAR WAS NOT FULLY EXTENDED AND COLLAPSED ON TOUCHDOWN. INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL SOURCE OF NOISE THAT PLT HEARD.

Full Narrative

PLT STATED THAT AS THE ACFT LIFTED OFF THE RWY, HE HEARD A 'LOUD RACKET' SOMEWHERE IN THE ACFT. HE RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR TO DETERMINE IF THE GEAR WAS THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE. IT WAS NOT AND HE ABORTED THE FLIGHT BY CLOSING THE THROTTLE AND PUTTING THE GEAR HANDLE DOWN. THE LANDING GEAR WAS NOT FULLY EXTENDED AND COLLAPSED ON TOUCHDOWN. INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL SOURCE OF NOISE THAT PLT HEARD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:27 CST
Nearest AirportMunicipal (0nm N)
Runway25
Runway Length8000 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20J
Tail NumberN1140L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-AB6D · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 14 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data