FTW82FRG28

NTSB accident investigation · Mooney M20A · San Antonio, TX · May 2, 1982

Accident · Serious injuriesFinal report
Date
May 2, 1982, 18:48 local (23:48 UTC)
Place
San Antonio, TX
Injuries
2 serious, 2 uninjured
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N7836CMooney M20A
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report May 2, 1983
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19820502029049A
Case key
72477

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with terrain/waterLanding - flare/touchdown
Control interference - inadvertentPilot in commandFactor
Diverted attentionPilot in commandFactor
Gear extension - not obtainedPilot in commandCause
Lack of familiarity with aircraftPilot in commandFactor
Propeller system/accessories,blade - bentFactor
In flight collision with objectLanding
Go-around - not possiblePilot in commandCause
Object - tree(s)Factor
Object - residenceFactor
Object - utility poleFactor

Analysis

During arrival, the pilot entered the traffic pattern for a landing on runway 30 with a 7 knot tailwind. On final approach, he was not satisfied with his pattern and elected to go-around. During the go-around and climb, a map and checklist fell into the recess between the seats and interfered with the gear handle. The pilot continued in the pattern while removing the articles. He thought that he had lowered the gear prior to the next landing. However, witnesses reported that on the second approach, the aircraft touched down with the gear up. The pilot initiated another go-around and pulled up to clear obstacles beyond the end of the runway. However, the left wing of the aircraft hit trees and a house top. The aircraft then struck a telephone pole as it crashed. A number of propeller slash marks and a four inch wind scrape mark were found about 500 to 700 ft down the 1800 ft runway. In this aircraft, the gear is extended by raising the gear handle and retracted by lowering the handle.

Aircraft

Registration
N7836C
Reported as
Mooney M20A
Category
Airplane
Serial number
1204
Airframe hours
1,065
Engine
Lycoming O-360, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Charles W. Kern
Registered owner
Charles W. Kern
Departed
Vanderpool, TX
Destination
SDY · Sidney, MT
Airport
Twin Oaks

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
51
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Flight hours
5,900 total · 7 in this make and model · 5,700 as pilot in command · 10 in the last 90 days · 3 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
120° at 7 knots
Visibility
7 statute miles
Temperature
167 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.