# NTSB CHI82DA204: Mooney M20F, N9577M, Plainwell, MI, June 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1982, 16:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Plainwell, MI
- Location: 42.4678° N, 85.6480° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at VIRGIL L WILLIAMS PLAINWELL MUNI (61D), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4678&lon=-85.6480&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72252
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82DA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72252/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA204

## 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
  - comm/nav equipment - erratic (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, THE RADIOS DID NOT WORK. HE STATED THAT HE HAD HIS MIND ON THIS PROBLEM AND DID NOT PUT THE GEAR DOWN. ALSO, HE REPORTED THAT ON DOWNWIND, THE GEAR WARNING HORN DID NOT WORK, AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PROPELLER AND UNDERSIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT WERE DAMAGED DURING A GEAR-UP LANDING. WHEN CHECKED, THE GEAR OPERATED NORMALLY AND THE GEAR WARNING DEVICE WOULD ACTIVATE WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS WITHIN 1/2 INCH FROM BEING FULLY CLOSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9577M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9577M), registered now, S/N 670154, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 670154
- Airframe hours: 1845
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James R. Bishop
- Registered owner: James R. Bishop
- Departed: JACKSON, MI
- Destination: PLAINWELL, MI
- Airport: 61D, Otsego-Plainwell Mun., runway 19, 2,550 × 220 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 450 total, 130 in this make and model, 370 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles

## 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 19820605020789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820605020789A), Jun 5, 1982: Mooney M20F, Plainwell, MI, Substantial damage. Distracted by radio problem. Failed to extend gear for landing. Landed gear up. Aircraft out of annual.

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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