# NTSB SEA85LA161: Mooney M20-F, N6879V, Salem, OR, July 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1985, 18:30 local (Jul 11, 1985, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Salem, OR
- Coordinates: 45.279144, -120.599731 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2791&lon=-120.5997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40195
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40195/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA161

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,gear warning system - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING AN INADVERTANT GEAR-UP LANDING. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THE LANDING GEAR CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS POPPED. WHEN FUNCTIONALLY TESTED, THE LANDING GEAR OPERATED NORMALLY. THE GEAR WARNING HORN WAS FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE HOWEVER, THE GEAR UNSAFE LIGHT AND DOWN AND LOCKED LIGHT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6879V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6879V), registered now, S/N 22-1272, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20-F
- Registry model: [Mooney M20F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20f) (registry code 5870214) (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: 22-1272
- Airframe hours: 851
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chuck Wenger
- Registered owner: Chuck Wenger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1985
- Departed: SLE, SALEM, OR
- Airport: 40R5, Flying W, runway 36, 1,500 × 30 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19850710030629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850710030629A), Jul 10, 1985: Mooney M20F, Salem, OR, Substantial damage. Landing gear was extending at ground contact. Warning horn did not sound.

## Other investigations on N6879V (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA82DA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA039), Mar 18, 1982: Mooney M20F (N6879V), Maupin, OR, substantial damage

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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