# NTSB FTW82FRG28: Mooney M20A, N7836C, San Antonio, TX, May 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1982, 18:48 local (23:48 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.589357, -98.470878 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5894&lon=-98.4709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72477
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FRG28
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72477/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FRG28

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - control interference - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - bent (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - go-around - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - residence (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7836C-2012-10-22), registration cancelled 2012-10-22, S/N 1204, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20A
- Registry model: [Mooney M20A](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20a) (registry code 5870204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1204
- Airframe hours: 1065
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820502029049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820502029049A), May 2, 1982: Mooney M20A, San Antonio, TX, Destroyed. Landed downwind gear up, propeller striking runway. Began nose high go around, struck trees and power pole.

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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