# NTSB CEN12CA136: Mooney M20K, N262RW, Willmar, MN, January 13, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 13, 2012, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Willmar, MN - Coordinates: 45.116943, -95.129447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1169&lon=-95.1294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82694 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82694/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82694 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA136 ## Probable cause The pilot landed without lowering the landing gear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot extended the downwind leg of the traffic pattern on his third solo landing to provide spacing for another airplane. He said that he forgot to lower the landing gear and inadvertently landed with the gear up. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the bottom cabin structure of the fuselage. The student pilot reported that the landing gear warning activated; however, he thought it was the stall warning. The student pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The student pilot was performing his third solo landing. He extended the downwind leg of the traffic pattern to provide spacing for another airplane. The student pilot stated that he forgot to extend the landing gear and inadvertently landed gear up. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the bottom cabin structure of the fuselage. The student pilot reported that the landing gear warning activated; however, he thought it was the stall warning. The student pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N262RW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N262RW), registered now, S/N 25-0649, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY AIRCRAFT CORP. M20K - Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-0649 - Airframe hours: 2588 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-360 SER 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 2011 - Departed: BDH, Willmar, MN - Destination: BDH, Willmar, MN - Airport: BDH, Willmar Municipal Airport-John, runway 31, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 10 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: BDH ## 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 20120113000409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120113000409A), Jan 13, 2012: Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20K, Wilmar, MN, Substantial damage. Student pilot [privacy data omitted] performed two earlier landings on this date. Upon the third he experienced distractions from two other aircraft in… ## Other investigations on N262RW (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN12CA461](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA461), Jul 20, 2012: Mooney M20K (N262RW), Hutchinson, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s inadequate flare and failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent impact with obstructions. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 2, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82694. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361782&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.