# NTSB LAX86LA053: Mooney M20J, N201UH, Taft, CA, November 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1985, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Taft, CA
- Coordinates: 35.159183, -119.430282 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1592&lon=-119.4303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25028
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25028/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA053

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - failure,total (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE LANDING GEAR INTRANSIT LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON WHEN THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RETRACT THE GEAR AFTER TAKEOFF. AFTER ALL EFFORTS TO EXTEND OR RETRACT THE GEAR FAILED THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND AT THE ARPT OF DEPARTURE. THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED ON TOUCHDOWN. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED THAT THE LANDING GEAR DRIVE GEAR FAILED AFTER THE GEAR RETRACTION HAD BEGUN ON TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N201UH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-0370
- Airframe hours: 660
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A16D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William G. Spangler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 1984
- Departed: L17, TAFT, CA
- Airport: L17, Taft-Kern County, runway 25, 3,970 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 780 total, 490 in this make and model, 730 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 25 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 19851130076059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851130076059A), Nov 30, 1985: Mooney M20J, Taft, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to extend or retract landing gear. Collapsed on touchdown. Found the drive gear failed.

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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