Summary
On July 29, 2017, a Mooney M20C (N2596W) was involved in an incident near Clearwater, FL. All 1 person 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 distraction before landing by a helicopter that was transitioning to the airport and his subsequent failure to extend the landing gear before touchdown.
The pilot reported that he extended the landing gear while in the traffic pattern. He added that he became distracted by a helicopter that was transitioning the airport, and while on base to final approach, he mistakenly raised the landing gear. The airplane subsequently touched down with the landing gear retracted.
The fuselage sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA481. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2596W.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s distraction before landing by a helicopter that was transitioning to the airport and his subsequent failure to extend the landing gear before touchdown.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that he extended the landing gear while in the traffic pattern. He added that he became distracted by a helicopter that was transitioning the airport, and while on base to final approach, he mistakenly raised the landing gear. The airplane subsequently touched down with the landing gear retracted.
The fuselage sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA481