# NTSB ERA11CA238: Mooney M20K, N777CV, Augusta, GA, April 11, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 11, 2011, 07:13 local (11:13 UTC) - Place: Augusta, GA - Coordinates: 33.369998, -81.964447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3700&lon=-81.9644&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 October 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78833 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA238 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78833/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78833 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA238 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s reported fatigue. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) - [Alertness/Fatigue](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013500): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013500/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02013500/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 pilot stated that he departed on a visual flight rules cross-country flight at approximately 0300 local time. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at his destination airport where the pilot requested and received an instrument flight rules clearance for an instrument approach. The pilot conducted two missed approaches but fog precluded him from making visual contact with the runway before diverting to another airport. The pilot conducted an instrument approach at the alternate airport and, just prior to landing at approximately 0700 local time, realized that he had failed to extend the landing gear. The airplane subsequently landed gear-up, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot stated that fatigue, weather conditions, and the distraction of the diversion contributed to the error. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he departed on a visual flight rules cross-country flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at his destination airport where the pilot requested and received an instrument flight rules clearance for an instrument approach. The pilot conducted two missed approaches but fog precluded him from making visual contact with the runway before diverting to another airport. The pilot conducted an instrument approach at the alternate airport, and just prior to landing, realized that he had failed to extend the landing gear. The airplane subsequently landed gear-up, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot stated that fatigue, weather conditions, and the distraction of the diversion contributed to the error. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N777CV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777CV-2012-09-17), registration cancelled 2012-09-17, S/N 25-0149, built 1979 (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: 25-0149 - Airframe hours: 2723 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-360 SER 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wilson Thomas S Md - Registered owner: Wilson Thomas S Md - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2010 - Departed: LFT, Lafayette, LA - Destination: BXE, Waynesboro, GA - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Airport: AGS, Augusta Regional, runway 35, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 3, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 8,500 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 125 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: AGS ## 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 20110411008469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110411008469A), Apr 11, 2011: Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20K, Augusta, GA, Substantial damage. On April 11, 2011 I was contacted by flm at approximately 0759 am to respond to an accident at ags (Augusta Bush Field). I was currently at Augusta, daniel… ## Other investigations on N777CV (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 ERA11FA406](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA406), Jul 18, 2011: Mooney M20K (N777CV), Augusta, GA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s decision to fly the airplane after maintenance personnel advised him that the airplane should not be flown because the pilot provided an incorrect propeller for installation and the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 28, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78833. 142 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347768&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (Courtesy FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347769&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector (item 3, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347774&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.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.