# NTSB MIA85LA236: Mooney M20F, N7122V, Ft. Myers, FL, August 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1985, 13:48 local (17:48 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Myers, FL
- Coordinates: 26.559549, -81.869178 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5595&lon=-81.8692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31443/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA236

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - gear retraction - premature, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE ACFT SETTLED TO THE RWY DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL AFTER THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTED. THE PLT STATED THAT THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE LANDING GEAR AND RELATED COMPONENTS REVEALED NO DEFECTS OR MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD HAVE PRECLUDED NORMAL OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7122V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7122V), registered now, S/N 22-0051, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-0051
- Airframe hours: 2167
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Ian K. Steuart
- Registered owner: Curtis Tank Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1983, 285 hours before
- Departed: FMY, FT. MYERS, FL
- Destination: 2G3, CONNELLSVILLE, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FMY, Page Field, runway 23, 6,461 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,177 total, 1,206 in this make and model, 1,531 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 93 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY

## 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 19850816043229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850816043229A), Aug 16, 1985: Mooney M20F, Ft Myers, FL, Substantial damage. Gear collapsed at 60 mph on takeoff roll. No malfunction found in retraction system. Possible gear handle unlocked.

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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