# NTSB WPR20CA102: Mooney M20K, N231VM, Minden, NV, February 14, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 14, 2020, 13:35 local (21:35 UTC) - Place: Minden, NV - Coordinates: 38.998332, -119.75222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9983&lon=-119.7522&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 101049 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA102 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101049/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101049 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA102 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to complete a before landing checklist, which resulted in his delayed extension of the landing gear, and his subsequent exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Mooney M20K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=5870220), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while on downwind to land, he partially completed a checklist and did not verify the landing gear position. He added that, while on final approach and about 20 ft above ground level, a pilot waiting to take off told him over the radio that the landing gear were not down. The pilot immediately extended the landing gear and applied full power and back pressure on the control yoke. The airplane stalled and subsequently landed hard, and the nose landing gear separated. The airplane veered off the runway, struck a runway sign, and then came to rest upright. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a retractable landing gear airplane reported that, while on downwind to land, he did a partial checklist and did not verify the landing gear position. While on final approach, about 20 ft above ground level, he heard over the radio that his gear was not down. The pilot reported that he immediately extended the landing gear, applied full power and applied back pressure on the control yoke. With the airplane still in the landing configuration, he believed that the airplane stalled and subsequently landed hard, separating the nose gear. The airplane veered off the runway and struck a runway sign before it came to rest upright. The left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N231VM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N231VM-2023-11-14), registration cancelled 2023-11-14, S/N 25-0426, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Mooney M20K (No Series) - 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: 25-0426 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 4030 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360-KB 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 2019, 80 hours before - Departed: MEV, Minden, NV - Destination: MEV, Minden, NV - Airport: MEV, Minden-Tahoe, runway 34, 7,399 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 6, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,528 total, 921 in this make and model, 1,528 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 0.6 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KMEV ## 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 20200214002559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200214002559A), Feb 14, 2020: Mooney Aircraft Corp. M20K, Minden, NV, Minor damage. Pilot stated he did not follow the check list prior to landing. He stated someone over the radio told him the gear was not down and he placed the gear selector… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 17, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101049. 11.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482589&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482590&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 3, .PDF, 6.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482591&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF 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.