Mooney M20J N888DF accident near Romeoville, Illinois

Probable cause

The collapse of the left main landing gear during the landing roll for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the left main landing gear collapsed shortly after touchdown during the landing roll. The airplane subsequently veered to the left and struck a runway edge identifier light. A postaccident examination confirmed that the left main landing gear had partially collapsed into its wheel well. The nose and right main landing gear remained fully extended. Damage sustained to the push-pull tubes that extend and retract the main landing gear precluded the determination of why the left landing gear collapsed. However, the observed damage to the push-pull tubes was likely attributable to the collapse of the left landing gear during the accident sequence. With the exception of the damaged push-pull tubes, there were no additional mechanical or rigging anomalies found with the landing gear extension/retraction system. Additionally, the landing gear position warning horn, instrument panel indicator lights, and floor-mounted visual/mechanical indicator functioned as designed, providing proper indication that the landing gear was in the fully extended position before landing.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11FA220 for the full record.