Summary
On January 24, 2003, a Mooney M20D (N6639U) was involved in an incident near Casa Grande, AZ. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: Collapse of the landing gear during landing rollout, resulting from the pilot/mechanic's incorrect landing gear locking mechanism (linkage) adjustment.
On January 24, 2003, about 1145 mountain standard time, a Mooney M20D, N6639U, experienced the collapse of its main landing gear during landing rollout on runway 05 at the Casa Grande Municipal Airport, Casa Grande, Arizona. The airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the private pilot, who operated the airplane, nor the passenger was injured. The airplane was being operated on a personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the local area flight that originated from Casa Grande about 1045.
The pilot reported that during his approach for landing, he had checked three times to confirm that the landing gear was extended and the green landing gear down lights were illuminated.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX03LA085. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6639U.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
Collapse of the landing gear during landing rollout, resulting from the pilot/mechanic's incorrect landing gear locking mechanism (linkage) adjustment.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On January 24, 2003, about 1145 mountain standard time, a Mooney M20D, N6639U, experienced the collapse of its main landing gear during landing rollout on runway 05 at the Casa Grande Municipal Airport, Casa Grande, Arizona. The airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the private pilot, who operated the airplane, nor the passenger was injured. The airplane was being operated on a personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the local area flight that originated from Casa Grande about 1045.
The pilot reported that during his approach for landing, he had checked three times to confirm that the landing gear was extended and the green landing gear down lights were illuminated. Everything appeared satisfactory, and he made a normal landing. As the airplane decelerated on the runway, the main landing gear collapsed. Thereafter, as the airplane veered off the runway it collided with a runway light.
On February 7, 2003, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator reported that the airplane examination revealed substantial damage had resulted during the gear collapse/impact event. The pilot reported that he owns the accident airplane. The airplane had been operated for 4.77 hours since receiving its last annual inspection. The pilot holds an FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate, and he indicated that the airplane had previously undergone maintenance to its landing gear.
According to the pilot, during the mishap the landing gear collapsed due to an adjustment problem, which prevented the over-center linkage from completely locking. The FAA indicated that the pilot/mechanic had performed the landing gear related maintenance.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX03LA085