Mooney M20F accident near Avignon, Fr, February 8, 2015
On February 8, 2015 at about 8:45 am local time, a Mooney M20F, registered FBOLV, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Avignon (Avignon-Province airport). It was a personal flight under non-U.S. private rules. 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 8, 2015 · about 8:45 am local time
- Place
- Avignon, France · Avignon-Province · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Mooney M20F · all M20Fs on the register
- Registration
- FBOLV · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · non-U.S. private rules
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On February 8, 2015, about 0845 UTC, a Mooney M20F, French registration F-BOLV, owned and operated by Chateau Avia Aero Club and piloted by a private individual, was substantially damaged when the landing gear collapsed during landing at the Avignon-Provence Airport (LFMV), Avignon, France. The pilot was not injured. The passenger on board sustained minor injuries. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the foreign, non-scheduled, local personal flight which originated at LFMV. During the flight, the airplane experienced an in-flight electrical failure. The pilot performed the emergency landing gear extension procedure; however, the landing gear did not lock in place. During the subsequent landing at LFMV, the landing gear collapsed. A post-accident examination of the airplane showed substantial structural damage to the lower fuselage and damage to the propeller. This investigation is under the jurisdiction of the government of France. Any further information regarding the investigation can be obtained from: Bureau d'Enquetes et d'Analyses (BEA) Zone Sud – Batiment 153 10 rue de Paris Aeroport du Bourget 93352 Le Bourget Cedex France Telephone: +33 1 49 92 72 00 Facsimile: +33 1 49 92 72 03 www.bea.aero This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by, or obtained from, the BEA of France. The National Transportation Safety Board was made aware of the accident on January 21, 2016, when the BEA of France reported it and requested the assistance of a U. S. Accredited Representative and the airplane manufacturer.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Landing gear collapse during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Operator: Chateau Avia Aero Club
The flight
- Departed from: Avignon
- Destination: Avignon
- Runway 35, 6,168 ft by 148 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 30 knots, gusting 44
- Visibility: 6.2 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded
- Temperature: 374°F (190°C), dew point 194°F (90°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 8:30 am from LFMV, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.