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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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November 8, 1985 · Mooney MK20J · N201QW

Gladewater, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 8, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Gladewater, TX
Aircraft
Mooney MK20J
Tail Number
N201QW
Operator
Roy a Hearne
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW86FPA05

DURING TAKEOFF THE HEADSET WIRING BECAME TANGLED IN THE EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION HANDLE WHICH HAD BEEN ACCIDENTLY ACTIVATED. THEN THE NORMAL GEAR HANDLE WAS PUT IN THE UP POSITION, THE EMERGENCY GEAR CRANK ROTATED PULLING ON THE HEADSET AND THE EMERGENCY GEAR HANDLE BEAT ON THE PILOT'S LEFT LEG. THE STARTLED PLT REDUCED PWR AND EXECUTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING SHORT OF THE RWY WITH THE GEAR IN TRANSIT.

Full Narrative

DURING TAKEOFF THE HEADSET WIRING BECAME TANGLED IN THE EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION HANDLE WHICH HAD BEEN ACCIDENTLY ACTIVATED. THEN THE NORMAL GEAR HANDLE WAS PUT IN THE UP POSITION, THE EMERGENCY GEAR CRANK ROTATED PULLING ON THE HEADSET AND THE EMERGENCY GEAR HANDLE BEAT ON THE PILOT'S LEFT LEG. THE STARTLED PLT REDUCED PWR AND EXECUTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING SHORT OF THE RWY WITH THE GEAR IN TRANSIT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 CST
Nearest AirportGladewater Municipal (0nm N)
Runway13
Runway Length3300 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney MK20J
Tail NumberN201QW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRoy a Hearne
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1B6D · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind120° @ 10 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:47
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data