# NTSB FTW86FPA05: Mooney MK20J, N201QW, Gladewater, TX, November 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1985, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Gladewater, TX
- Coordinates: 32.539421, -94.940986 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5394&lon=-94.9410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21922
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FPA05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21922/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FPA05

## 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
  - landing gear,emergency extension assembly - engaged (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF THE HEADSET WIRING BECAME TANGLED IN THE EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION HANDLE WHICH HAD BEEN ACCIDENTLY ACTIVATED. THEN THE NORMAL GEAR HANDLE WAS PUT IN THE UP POSITION, THE EMERGENCY GEAR CRANK ROTATED PULLING ON THE HEADSET AND THE EMERGENCY GEAR HANDLE BEAT ON THE PILOT'S LEFT LEG. THE STARTLED PLT REDUCED PWR AND EXECUTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING SHORT OF THE RWY WITH THE GEAR IN TRANSIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201QW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N201QW), registered now, S/N 24-0236 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY MK20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0236
- Airframe hours: 2172
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Roy A. Hearne
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1985, 592 hours before
- Departed: O7F, GLADEWATER, TX
- Destination: TPL, TEMPLE, TX
- Airport: 07F, Gladewater Municipal, runway 13, 3,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,535 total, 217 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GGG

## 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 19851108057759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851108057759A), Nov 8, 1985: Mooney M20J, Gladewater, TX, Substantial damage. Precautionary landing with gear in transit. Headset wiring became entangled in rotating emergency gear handle.

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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