Accident Overview
On June 10, 2008, at approximately 1030 mountain daylight time, a Mooney M20J, registration N1234G, sustained substantial damage when the landing gear collapsed during the landing roll at Burns Field (EVW) in Evanston, Wyoming. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight, which originated from Rifle, Colorado, around 0800. The pilot filed and opened a Visual Flight Rules flight plan.
Pilot Actions
In a written statement, the pilot reported that when he engaged the landing gear while on approach, he received an unsafe red gear light. The pilot recycled the landing gear and checked the circuit breakers; the light then extinguished. He contacted the local Fixed Base Operator and requested a flyby for a visual confirmation of the gear position. Ground personnel reported the gear appeared down. The pilot completed his final pre-landing checks and landed the airplane. Immediately after touchdown, the landing gear collapsed.
Postaccident Examination
A mechanic examined the airplane and found that two wing skins and a metal tubular former in the belly needed replacement. Two Federal Aviation Administration Form 337 approvals were required to return the airplane to service. The mechanic who performed the work stated that the gear collapsed due to the over center tension for the nose wheel landing gear down locks not being properly adjusted.