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October 2, 2020 · Mooney M20F NO Series · N7798M

Denver, CO

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 2, 2020
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Denver, CO
Aircraft
Mooney M20F NO Series (1974)
Tail Number
N7798M
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA009

The pilot reported that during takeoff the cabin door opened and during the climb and on raising the landing gear, he failed to receive the gear “UP” light. The passenger attempted to close the door while the pilot recycled the landing gear. The pilot reported that gear had likely not retracted based on the airplane’s failure to climb and gain airspeed as it would have, had the gear retracted. The pilot decided to return to the airport and contacted the air traffic control tower to visually assess the gear position. While maneuvering for the air traffic control tower to verify the gear, the pilot continued to cycle the gear up and down receiving no indications of a change in the gear position. The pilot reported the floorboard landing gear position indicator showed “GEAR DOWN” giving him the indication that the landing gear was down. The air traffic controller advised the pilot the gear appeared to be in the down position and cleared the airplane to land. The airplane touched down near the 1,000-foot marker on the runway on the two main wheels. A “split second” later, the right main and nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid off the right side of the runway impacting a runway light with the right wing. The airplane’s right wing sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the landing gear showed the landing gear motor would engage for about 5 seconds and then stop leaving the landing gear in an intermediate position. A subsequent bench test of the landing gear motor resulted in the motor failing to engage or move, indicative of it being inoperative.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of the landing gear motor that prevented the gear from extending fully to the down and locked position, which resulted in a gear collapse on landing and a subsequent loss of directional control.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff the cabin door opened and during the climb and on raising the landing gear, he failed to receive the gear “UP” light. The passenger attempted to close the door while the pilot recycled the landing gear. The pilot reported that gear had likely not retracted based on the airplane’s failure to climb and gain airspeed as it would have, had the gear retracted. The pilot decided to return to the airport and contacted the air traffic control tower to visually assess the gear position. While maneuvering for the air traffic control tower to verify the gear, the pilot continued to cycle the gear up and down receiving no indications of a change in the gear position. The pilot reported the floorboard landing gear position indicator showed “GEAR DOWN” giving him the indication that the landing gear was down. The air traffic controller advised the pilot the gear appeared to be in the down position and cleared the airplane to land. The airplane touched down near the 1,000-foot marker on the runway on the two main wheels. A “split second” later, the right main and nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid off the right side of the runway impacting a runway light with the right wing. The airplane’s right wing sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the landing gear showed the landing gear motor would engage for about 5 seconds and then stop leaving the landing gear in an intermediate position. A subsequent bench test of the landing gear motor resulted in the motor failing to engage or move, indicative of it being inoperative.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:35 MDT
Nearest AirportCentennial (0nm N)
Runway17
Runway Length10001 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20F NO Series
Tail NumberN7798M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class · None
Crew 2None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 25 C
Altimeter30.24 inHg
Observation Time10:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data