Probable cause
The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot thought he had lowered the landing gear at the final approach fix, but "did not check it down and locked." The airplane was traveling faster than normal as it crossed over the runway threshold, and it ballooned during the landing flare. The pilot heard the audible gear warning say "check gear" as he was reaching to increase the throttle for a go-around. He was reaching for the landing gear handle as the airplane settled onto the runway. The airplane slid about 850 feet before coming to rest. The lower fuselage skin and its corresponding substructure were damaged during the wheels-up landing. The pilot said the accident could have been prevented if he had verified the position of the landing gear prior to landing. He also said that he was distracted during the approach with changing radio frequencies, and correcting for being high and fast on the approach.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA163 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 14, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- New Philadelphi, Ohio
- Nearest airport
- Harry Clever Field Airport (PHD)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Mooney M20K
- N-number
- N252AD
- 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.