# NTSB GAA17CA481: Mooney M20C, N2596W, Clearwater, FL, July 29, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 29, 2017, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Clearwater, FL - Coordinates: 27.973611, -82.757225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9736&lon=-82.7572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95788 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA481 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95788/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95788 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA481 ## Probable cause The pilot’s distraction before landing by a helicopter that was transitioning to the airport and his subsequent failure to extend the landing gear before touchdown. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=5870208), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he extended the landing gear while in the traffic pattern. He added that he became distracted by a helicopter that was transitioning to the airport, and while on base to final approach, he mistakenly raised the landing gear. The airplane subsequently touched down with the landing gear retracted. The fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he extended the landing gear while in the traffic pattern. He added that he became distracted by a helicopter that was transitioning the airport, and while on base to final approach, he mistakenly raised the landing gear. The airplane subsequently touched down with the landing gear retracted. The fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2596W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2596W), registered now, S/N 3283, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20C (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Mooney M20C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20c) (registry code 5870208) (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: 3283 - Year built: 1965 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CLW, Clearwater, FL - Destination: CLW, Clearwater, FL - Airport: CLW, Clearwater Air Park, runway 34, 4,108 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 25 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KPIE ## 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 20170729010169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170729010169A), Jul 29, 2017: Mooney M20C, Clearwater, FL, Minor damage. On 7/29/17, at approximately 1645 Mooney M20C aircraft, N2596W, landed on rwy 34 at kclw with the landing gear retacted. The aircraft sustained damage to the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 1, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95788. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460442&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 464 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460443&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.