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ERA12CA244

2012-03-18 · Clearwater, Florida, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport CLW

Current FAA registration · N9140M

Make / Model
MOONEY M20M
Year of manufacture
1990 · 22 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING TI0-540 SER (310 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19901218
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S ACA7EB

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing due to his distraction regarding another airplane in the traffic pattern.

Factual narrative

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. According to the pilot, after entering the traffic pattern for landing, he noted that 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 identified the other airplane, and that pilot reported that he would proceed behind the accident airplane to the runway. The accident pilot stated that he became preoccupied 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 skidded to a stop, which resulted in substantial damage to the underside of the fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-(general)-Not used/operated - C
  • C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Task monitoring/vigilance-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2012_ERA12CA244.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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