# NTSB ERA12CA244: Mooney M20M, N9140M, Clearwater, FL, March 18, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 18, 2012, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Clearwater, FL - Coordinates: 27.976667, -82.758613 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9767&lon=-82.7586&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83193 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83193/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83193 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA244 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing due to his distraction regarding another airplane in the traffic pattern. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Mooney M20M, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5870222), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, after entering the traffic pattern for landing, he noted that there were two other airplanes in the traffic pattern. As he announced his position on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he heard another pilot also announce his position at the same location. The accident pilot visually identified the other airplane, and that pilot reported that he would proceed behind the accident airplane to the runway. The accident pilot stated that he became preoccupied with locating the other airplane during the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and forgot to lower the landing gear. During touchdown, the propeller struck the runway, and the airplane skidded to a stop, which resulted in substantial damage to the underside of the fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, after entering the traffic pattern for landing, he noted there were two other airplanes in the traffic pattern. As he announced his position on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he heard another pilot also announce his position at the same location. The accident pilot visually obtained the other airplane, whose pilot reported he would proceed behind the accident airplane to the runway. The accident pilot stated he became pre-occupied with locating the other airplane during the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, and forgot to lower the landing gear. During touchdown, the propeller struck the runway and the airplane skid to a stop resulting substantial damage to the underside of the fuselage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9140M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9140M), registered now, S/N 27-0083, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20M - Registry model: [Mooney M20M](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20m) (registry code 5870222) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27-0083 - Airframe hours: 1960 - Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540 SER 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald Trizzino - Registered owner: Donald Trizzino - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 2011 - Departed: APF, Naples, FL - Destination: CLW, Clearwater, FL - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: CLW, Clearwater Air Park, runway 16, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 8,841 total, 35 in this make and model, 8,700 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: PIE, 5 nm away ## 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 20120318004149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120318004149A), Mar 18, 2012: Mooney M20M, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. On March 18, 2012, at about 1534 eastern standard time, a Mooney, model # M20M, N9140M landed at Clearwater airpark (clw) with the gear in the retracted… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 22, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83193. 9.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 642 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365371&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365372&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Aircraft from front (photo courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365373&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Aircraft%20from%20front%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Aircraft underside damage (photo courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Aircraft%20underside%20damage%20(photo%20courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - FAA Interview (item 5, .PDF, 30 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40368642&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Interview-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.