# NTSB LAX06CA224: Mooney M20M, N2142G, Searchlight, NV, June 29, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 29, 2006, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Searchlight, NV - Coordinates: 35.439723, -114.905555 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4397&lon=-114.9056&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64062 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA224 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64062/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA224 ## Probable cause the pilot's encounter with rocks and debris on the runway during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway - runway maintenance - inadequate, other person - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - landing gear,tire - burst (contributing factor) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - landing gear,main gear - collapsed (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis The left main landing gear collapsed during landing after impacting rocks, and the airplane veered off the runway and collided with a berm. The pilot made a routine landing onto a paved uncontrolled airstrip. As the airplane touched down in the center of the runway, the pilot heard a heavy "thud" indicating something had struck the airplane. During the landing rollout, the airplane became uncontrollable and turned 90 degrees to the left and impacted a 2-foot-high dirt embankment. After exiting the airplane the pilot inspected the left main landing gear and found the tire blown and the gear collapsed. In addition, he found 2- to 3-inch holes on the leading edge of the elevator on the right side. After close inspection of the touchdown area, the pilot discovered several large rocks scattered across the runway surface. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 2006, about 0830 Pacific daylight time, a Mooney M20M, N2142G, had a gear collapse during landing and veered off the runway at Searchlight Airport, Searchlight, Nevada. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and the commercial pilot were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight departed North Las Vegas Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, about 0750, with a planned destination of Searchlight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written report. He made a routine landing into a paved uncontrolled airstrip. As the airplane touched down in the center of the runway, he heard a heavy "thud" indicating something had struck it. During the landing rollout, the airplane became uncontrollable and turned 90 degrees to the left and impacted a 2-foot-high dirt embankment. After exiting the airplane, the pilot found the left main landing gear tire blown and the gear collapsed. In addition, he found 2- to 3-inch holes on the leading edge of the elevator on the right side. After close inspection of the touchdown area, the pilot discovered several large rocks scattered across the runway surface. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: N2142G (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20M - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27-0232 - Airframe hours: 794 - Engines: Textron Lycoming TIO-540-AFIB 270 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William C. Blaurock - Registered owner: William C. Blaurock - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2005, 20 hours before - Departed: KVGT, North Las Vegas, NV - Destination: K1L3, Searchlight, NV - Airport: K1L3, Searchlight Airport, runway 34, 5,040 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 300 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot; age 67; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: right; flight hours: 3,600 total, 3,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: HND, 34 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 20060629012679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060629012679A), Jun 29, 2006: Mooney M20M, Searchlight, NV, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot stated that the aircraft struck a rock during a normal landing at Searchlight, Nevada airport (IL3) causing the left main landing gear to collapse.… 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.