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NTSB Report

July 22, 2018 · Mooney M20E No Series · N7845V

Great Falls, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Great Falls, MT
Aircraft
Mooney M20E No Series (1964)
Tail Number
N7845V
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA18CA438

The pilot reported that they were conducting a "familiarization/instructional flight" in the retractable-gear airplane and that this was his first flight with the instructor. After practicing commercial maneuvers, they entered the traffic pattern, and the instructor wanted to acquaint himself with the "Johnson bar"-style landing gear system. The "Johnson bar" (manually operated retraction/extension handle) is pulled up to extend the landing gear and pushed down to retract the landing gear. The instructor then pushed the Johnson bar down in what he thought was the landing gear extended position. The pilot added that, although he twice verified that the landing gear was extended, the airplane landed with the landing gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that the flight was briefed as a "familiarization" flight because he was unfamiliar with the airplane. He added that the pilot had time in the airplane, and the intent was for him to become familiar with the performance and limitations of the airplane before he began conducting commercial training for the pilot. He added that he became distracted with the operation of the flaps and did not verify the landing gear position indicator lights located on the left side of the cockpit. He also added that he did not hear the gear warning horn. The pilot and flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor’s incorrect use of the landing gear system and his and the pilot’s failure to ensure that the landing gear was extended, which resulted in a gear-up landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s unfamiliarity with the airplane.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that they were conducting a "familiarization/instructional flight", in the retractable-gear airplane, and that this was his first flight with the instructor. After practicing commercial maneuvers, they entered the traffic pattern and the instructor wanted to acquaint himself with the "Johnson bar" style landing gear system. The "Johnson bar" (manually operated retraction/extension handle) is pulled up to extend the landing gear and pushed down to retract the landing gear. The instructor then placed the Johnson bar down, in what he thought was the landing gear extended position. The pilot added that although he twice verified that the landing gear was extended, the airplane landed with the landing gear retracted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor reported that, the flight was briefed as a "familiarization" flight because he was unfamiliar with the airplane. He added, the pilot had time in the airplane, and the intent was for him to become familiar with the performance and limitations of the airplane before he began conducting commercial training for the pilot. He added that he became distracted with the operation of the flaps and did not verify the landing gear position indicator lights located on the left side of the cockpit. He also added that he did not hear the gear warning horn. The pilot and flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:15 MDT
Nearest AirportGreat Falls Intl (1nm E)
Runway21
Runway Length10502 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20E No Series
Tail NumberN7845V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A2A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 27 · Third Class · None
Crew 2Age 55 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 39 C
Altimeter30.25 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data