# NTSB LAX08CA247: Mooney M20K, N252MX, Chehalis, WA, July 24, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 23, 2008, 18:30 local (Jul 24, 2008, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Chehalis, WA - Coordinates: 46.676944, -122.98278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6769&lon=-122.9828&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68565 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68565/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA247 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear, resulting in a gear up landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was performing a straight in approach to the runway and he reduced power and extended the speed brakes as he descended. He also made several radio calls. When the airplane was about 5 miles from the runway, the pilot performed the pre-landing checklist, which he said includes putting the gear down. He reported that he intentionally left the gear retracted to keep more speed on the approach. When he was 3 miles from the runway, the pilot began a conversation over the radio with another pilot who was departing the airport. He stated that he became distracted by the conversation and did not remember to lower the landing gear. The airplane touched down in the middle of the runway with the gear retracted and sustained structural damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. ## Factual narrative In a written report the pilot stated that he was performing a straight in approach for the runway. He reduced power and extended the speed brakes as he descended. He also made several radio calls. When the airplane was about 5 miles from the runway, the pilot performed the pre-landing checklist, which he stated includes putting the gear down. He reported that he intentionally left the gear retracted, to keep more speed on the approach. When he was 3 miles from the runway, the pilot began a conversation over the radio with another pilot who was departing the airport. He stated that he became distracted by the conversation, and did not remember to lower the landing gear. The airplane touched down in the middle of the runway with the gear retracted, and sustained structural damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N252MX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N252MX), registered now, S/N 25-1049 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20K - Registry model: [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k) (registry code 5870220) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25-1049 - Airframe hours: 2475.9 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2007 - Departed: KUAO, Aurora, OR - Destination: Chehalis, WA - Airport: CLS, Chehalis-Centralia, runway 34, 5,000 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,610 total, 600 in this make and model, 1,552 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20080724841069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080724841069A), Jul 24, 2008: Mooney M20K, Chehalis, WA, Substantial damage. (-23)On July 24,2008, pilot-in-command of Mooney M20K, with aircraft registration N252MX landed at Chehalis airport on runway 34 with landing gears not… 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.