Summary
On March 18, 2012, a Mooney M20M (N9140M) was involved in an incident near Clearwater, FL. 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: The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing due to his distraction regarding another airplane in the traffic pattern.
According to the pilot, after entering the traffic pattern for landing, he noted there were two other airplanes in the traffic pattern. As he announced his position on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he heard another pilot also announce his position at the same location. The accident pilot visually obtained the other airplane, whose pilot reported he would proceed behind the accident airplane to the runway. The accident pilot stated he became pre-occupied with locating the other airplane during the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, and forgot to lower the landing gear. During touchdown, the propeller struck the runway and the airplane skid to a stop resulting substantial damage to the underside of the fuselage.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA12CA244. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9140M.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing due to his distraction regarding another airplane in the traffic pattern.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot, after entering the traffic pattern for landing, he noted there were two other airplanes in the traffic pattern. As he announced his position on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, he heard another pilot also announce his position at the same location. The accident pilot visually obtained the other airplane, whose pilot reported he would proceed behind the accident airplane to the runway. The accident pilot stated he became pre-occupied with locating the other airplane during the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, and forgot to lower the landing gear. During touchdown, the propeller struck the runway and the airplane skid to a stop resulting substantial damage to the underside of the fuselage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA12CA244