# NTSB DEN83LA223: Mooney M-2O, N5297B, Rock Spring, WY, September 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1983, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Rock Spring, WY
- Coordinates: 41.589694, -109.219116 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5897&lon=-109.2191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA223

## Sequence of events

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

- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT LANDED WITH THE LANDING GEAR UP AFTER THE FLT EXPERIENCED SOME DELAYS IN LANDING BECAUSE AN AIRSHOW WAS IN PROGRESS. THE ACCIDENT PLT WAS TOLD TO HOLD 30 MINUTES AND THEN 6 MINUTES LATER WAS TOLD HE COULD LAND IF HE HURRIED AND'GOT BACK TO THE ARPT QUICKLY.' THE PLT WAS CLEARED FOR A STRAIGHT IN APPROACH. THE REQUESTS FOR POSITION REPORTS CAME ABOUT EVERY MINUTE ACCORDING TO THE PLT. HE SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE RADIO HE DID NOT GO THROUGH THE CHECKLIST AND FORGOT TO LOWER THE GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5297B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5297B), registered now, S/N 1159, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mooney M-2O
- Registry model: [Mooney M20](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20) (registry code 5870202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1159
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: AVCO LYCOMING O-32O 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald Clemas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 15, 1983, 15 hours before
- Departed: RAP, RAPID CITY, SD
- Airport: RKS, Rock Springs, runway 9, 10,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,961 total, 2,961 in this make and model, 2,961 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 2KS

## 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 19830904055659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830904055659A), Sep 4, 1983: Mooney M20, Rock Springs, WY, Substantial damage. Because of communication problems pilot forgot to lower gear.

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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