# NTSB MKC85LA077: Mooney M20J, N1140L, Ft. Smith, AR, March 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1985, 14:27 local (20:27 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Smith, AR
- Coordinates: 35.370937, -94.420349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3709&lon=-94.4203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33925
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33925/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA077

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT STATED THAT AS THE ACFT LIFTED OFF THE RWY, HE HEARD A 'LOUD RACKET' SOMEWHERE IN THE ACFT. HE RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR TO DETERMINE IF THE GEAR WAS THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE. IT WAS NOT AND HE ABORTED THE FLIGHT BY CLOSING THE THROTTLE AND PUTTING THE GEAR HANDLE DOWN. THE LANDING GEAR WAS NOT FULLY EXTENDED AND COLLAPSED ON TOUCHDOWN. INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL SOURCE OF NOISE THAT PLT HEARD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1140L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1140L), registered now, S/N 24-1158, 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: 24-1158
- Airframe hours: 753
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-AB6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard B. Griffin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 29, 1984
- Airport: FSM, Municipal, runway 25, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,213 total, 6,213 in this make and model, 6,213 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850323017159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850323017159A), Mar 23, 1985: Mooney M20J, Fort Smith, AR, Substantial damage. Loud noise on takeoff, reduced power, lowered gear but landed with gear in transit. No cause for noise found.

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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