# NTSB LAX03CA203: Mooney M20J, N1156N, Lincoln, CA, June 12, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 12, 2003, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln, CA
- Coordinates: 38.909168, -121.351112
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9092&lon=-121.3511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57277
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57277/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA203

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he failed to lower the landing gear because he was distracted by other aircraft in the pattern.  He did not notice the gear up warning horn or that the aircraft was handling differently.  There were no preimpact mechanical problems noted with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On June 12, 2003, about 1140 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N1156N, made a gear up landing at Lincoln Regional Airport (LHM), Lincoln, California.  The borrowed airplane was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight.  The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The local flight departed LHM about 1045.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.  The primary wreckage was at 38 degrees 54 minutes north latitude and 121 degrees 21 minutes west longitude.

The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he failed to lower the landing gear because he was distracted by other aircraft in the pattern.  He did not notice the gear up warning horn or that the airplane was handling differently.  The pilot stated there were no mechanical failures.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1156N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1156N), registered now, S/N 24-1251, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mooney M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1251
- Airframe hours: 1940.2
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 2002, 93 hours before
- Departed: LHM, Lincoln, CA
- Destination: LHM, Lincoln, CA
- Airport: LHM, Lincoln Regional Airport, runway 15, 6,001 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 11, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 939 total, 328 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: AUN, 12 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 20030612012539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030612012539A), Jun 12, 2003: Mooney M20J, Lincoln, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot failed to extend gear. Aircraft landed gear up.

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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