N1234GMooney M20J · 1987

On June 10, 2008, approximately 1030 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N1234G, sustained substantial damage when the landing gear collapsed during the landing roll at Burns Field (EVW), Evanston, Wyoming. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which had originated from Rifle, Colorado, about 0800. The pilot had filed and opened a Visual Flight Rules flight plan.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that when he engaged the landing gear while on approach, he got an unsafe red gear light. The pilot recycled the landing gear and checked the circuit breakers. The light then went out. The pilot contacted the local Fixed Base Operator and requested a flyby to have someone confirm that the landing gear was down. Ground personnel reported to the pilot that the gear appeared down. The pilot accomplished his final pre-landing checks and landed the airplane. Immediately after touchdown, the landing gear collapsed.

Postaccident examination of the airplane by a mechanic revealed that two wing skins and a metal tubular former in the belly needed to be replaced. Two Federal Aviation Administration Form 337 approvals were required to return the airplane to service. The mechanic who performed the work said the gear collapsed due to the over center tension for the nose wheel landing gear down locks was not properly adjusted.