Mooney M20-J N201DV

Summary

On 4 July 2003 at about 18:18 local time, a Mooney M20-J registered N201DV, operated by Mark W. Hawk, was involved in an accident near Renton, Washington, United States. 3 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

4 July 2003 at 18:18

Classification

Accident

Location

Renton, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Renton Muni (RNT)

Coordinates

47.4917, -122.2150

Aircraft

Mooney M20-J

Registration

N201DV

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Mark W. Hawk

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Renton → Renton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA03LA128

Nobody was injured.

In-flight failure of the electric landing gear motor during the initial takeoff climb.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane experienced an electrical malfunction 2-3 minutes after takeoff. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to reset the electrical system, the pilot attempted to manually lower the landing gear in preparation for a landing. He reported that he was able to actuate the manual gear extension handle, however, the landing gear would not fully extend and lock. After multiple additional attempts to fully lower the gear, the pilot initiated a landing with the main landing gear in the midrange position. Examination of the landing gear system by representatives from the NTSB and FAA revealed that the landing gear actuator housing fractured, and separated from the gearbox. Damage was also noted to the actuator drive coupling. Representatives from the FAA and the manufacturer of the gear assembly conducted the teardown and examination of the electric landing gear actuator motor. During the examination, 14 volts was applied to the actuator motor in an attempt to functionally test the DC motor. The electric motor did not respond, or draw current. Further examination of the motor revealed that the two brushes in the motor were of dissimilar type and design and showed signs of arcing. Additionally, the motors armature showed signs of severe wear. Logbook records indicated that the electric landing gear motor was serviced on February 1, 2001, approximately 39 flight hours prior to the accident. The log entry indicated that the armature shaft and brushes were replaced and that the gear motor was returned to service.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.