Mooney M20D N6639U

Summary

On 24 January 2003 at about 18:45 local time, a Mooney M20D registered N6639U was involved in an accident near Casa Grande, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

24 January 2003 at 18:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Casa Grande, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Casa Grande Municipal (CGZ)

Coordinates

32.8707, -111.7299

Aircraft

Mooney M20D

Registration

N6639U

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Casa Grande → Casa Grande

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX03LA085

Nobody was injured.

Collapse of the landing gear during landing rollout, resulting from the pilot/mechanic's incorrect landing gear locking mechanism (linkage) adjustment.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Following a normal touchdown and during the rollout, the airplane's main landing gear collapsed. Thereafter, as the airplane slid to a stop it veered off the runway and collided with a runway light. The pilot reported that during his approach for landing, he had verified that the landing gear was extended. He had confirmed its extension by observing the green gear down lights illuminate. The pilot had previously performed maintenance to the landing gear system. The airplane had been operated for 4.77 hours since receiving its last annual inspection. According to the pilot, the gear collapsed due to an adjustment problem, which prevented the over-center linkage from completely locking. The FAA indicated that the pilot, who holds an airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate, had performed the landing gear related maintenance.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.