# NTSB ATL87LA092: Mooney M20, N5251B, Frankfort, KY, March 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1987, 10:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Frankfort, KY
- Coordinates: 38.18962, -84.859222 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1896&lon=-84.8592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7393
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7393/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA092

## 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
  - fuselage - burned
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,drain - overload
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE FINAL PHASE OF THE APPROACH PROCEDURE, THE PILOT FAILED TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN, SKIDDED ALONG THE RUNWAY SURFACE UNTIL IT FINALLY CAME TO REST. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL STRAINER FAILED AND A FIRE STARTED AND BURNED THE FUSELAGE CENTER SECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5251B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1114
- Airframe hours: 1623
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James D. Goodrich
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1987, 25 hours before
- Departed: FRANKFORT, KY
- Airport: FFT, Frankfort, runway 6, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19870320007329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870320007329A), Mar 20, 1987: Mooney M20, Frankfort, KY, Destroyed. The aircraft landed with the wheels retracted. The pilot realized the mistake in the flare.

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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