Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to lower the gear before landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to complete the before landing checklist.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was returning to land at the non-towered airport after aborting a cross country flight because of deteriorating weather conditions. The pilot said he was focused on the proper glide path during the final approach and that he forgot to lower the landing gear. The airplane slid to a stop on the runway with the landing gear still retracted. There were no injuries to the solo pilot on board, but substantial structural damage to the belly of the fuselage.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA058 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 11, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- San Antonio, Texas
- Nearest airport
- San Geronimo Airport (8T8)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Mooney M20E
- N-number
- N1264X
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.