# NTSB ATL85LA131: Mooney M20E, N7153U, Gunthersville, AL, April 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1985, 19:30 local (Apr 10, 1985, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Gunthersville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.349555, -86.269531 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3496&lon=-86.2695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6773
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6773/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA131

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - night
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE FAILED TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A GEAR UP LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7153U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7153U), registered now, S/N 392, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20E
- Registry model: [Mooney M20E](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20e) (registry code 5870212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 92
- Airframe hours: 2320
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steven G. Henderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 23, 1984, 13 hours before
- Departed: GUNTHERSVILLE, AL
- Airport: 8A1, Gunthersville Municipal, runway 20, 3,360 × 95 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 183 total, 50 in this make and model, 121 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850409011929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850409011929A), Apr 9, 1985: Mooney M20E, Gunthersville, AL, Substantial damage. Pilot failed to extend gear for landing. This was the second of a planned 3 full stop landings for night currency.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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