# NTSB FTW87LA024: Mooney M20D, N1970Y, Kerrville, TX, December 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1986, 18:00 local (Dec 2, 1986, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Kerrville, TX
- Coordinates: 29.439281, -98.459327 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4393&lon=-98.4593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22303
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22303/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA024

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - landing gear,nose gear - movement restricted (cause)
  - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,tire - jammed (cause)
  - landing gear,tire - pressure excessive (cause)
- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR IN PREPARATION FOR LANDING. TROUBLESHOOTING AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO EXTEND THE GEAR FAILED. THE PILOT THEN MADE A 360 DEGREE TURN OVER THE AIRPORT TO LOSE ALTITUDE DURING WHICH, HE SECURED THE ENGINE AND STOPPED THE PROPELLER IN A HORIZONTAL POSITION TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE. THE PILOT REALIZED AFTER 270 DEGREES OF TURN THAT INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE REMAINED TO REACH THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED ON ROUGH TERRAIN SHORT OF RUNWAY 30. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE NOSE GEAR TIRE WAS HANDING UP ON THE GEAR DOOR DURING EXTENSION. THE NOSE GEAR TIRE WAS FOUND TO BE INFLATED TO 40 PSI. THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL CALL FOR AN INFLATION PRESSURE OF 30 PSI.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1970Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1970Y-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 235 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20D
- Registry model: [Mooney M20D](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20d) (registry code 5870210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 235
- Airframe hours: 2835
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chester N. Steele
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 1986
- Departed: SAT, SAN ANTONIO, TX
- Airport: ERV, Kerrville, runway 30, 4,400 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,816 total, 1,394 in this make and model, 3,753 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 91 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 19861201063739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861201063739A), Dec 1, 1986: Mooney M20D, Kerrville, TX, Substantial damage. The pilot could not extend the gear and landed the aircraft short. An improperly inflated tire prevented extension.

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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