# NTSB DEN86LA145: Mooney M20, N6519B, Fargo, ND, May 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1986, 20:05 local (May 26, 1986, 01:05 UTC)
- Place: Fargo, ND
- Location: 46.9206° N, 96.8157° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HECTOR INTL (FAR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9206&lon=-96.8157&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16970
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16970/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA145

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - landing gear,gear lever - failure,total
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTS THAT HE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY IN RETRACTING THE LANDING GEAR AFTER DEPARTURE BUT IT DID RETRACT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. HE SAID THE GEAR SYSTEM SEEMED TO BE HANGING UP. UPON REACHING DESTINATION THE GEAR AGAIN SEEMED TO HANG UP WHEN EXTENSION WAS ATTEMPTED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO LOWER THE GEAR THE GEAR HANDLE BROKE OFF AND ALL FURTHER ATTEMPTS TO EXTEND THE GEAR WERE FUTILE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6519B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6519B-2013-07-23), registration cancelled 2013-07-23, S/N 1186, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20
- 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: 1186
- Airframe hours: 4112
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Francis B. Hillard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 1986, 66 hours before
- Departed: GFK, GRAND FORKS, ND
- Airport: FAR, Hector Field, runway 3, 4,267 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 199 total, 174 in this make and model, 151 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR

## 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 19860525020149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860525020149A), May 25, 1986: Mooney M20, Fargo, ND, Substantial damage. Gear handle was binding on retraction. Broke off gear handle trying to lower the gear. Found bent gear link rods.

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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