Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On July 24, 2000, at 1300 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N5549Q, sustained substantial damage during a wheels up landing at Tri-County Airport, Erie, Colorado. The private pilot and sole occupant was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this local area cross country flight operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Longmont, Colorado, at 1230.

According to the pilot, he was distracted by a truck, which was parked on one of the exit taxiways from the runway, and he forgot to lower the landing gear.

During the landing, the aircraft sustained damage to the belly skin, ribs, and stringers. Failure by the pilot to follow procedures and lower the landing gear.