# NTSB CEN10CA341: Cessna R182RG, N9849C, Albuquerque, NM, June 22, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 21, 2010, 19:27 local (Jun 22, 2010, 01:27 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.040279, -106.609169 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0403&lon=-106.6092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight SDtandards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 76421 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA341 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76421/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76421 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA341 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction with an erroneous airspeed indicator. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Workload management](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064000/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02064000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the initial climb, the pilot noticed the airspeed indicator was erratic and not indicating a normal climb speed. After leveling off, the indicated airspeed was 70 to 80 knots. He compared this with the GPS (Global Positioning System) ground speed and noticed a "significant difference." Later, while circling a house, the airspeed "went to zero knots." The pilot returned for landing and mentally went through the GUMPs (gas, undercarriage, mixture, prop) checklist, but was distracted by the airspeed indicator and radio traffic. As he flared for landing and reduced power, he heard a horn sounding and mistook it for the marker beacon alert. The airplane landed wheels up. An examination of the pitot tube showed it was plugged with insects. No other anomalies were found. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot's accident report, during the initial climb from Albuquerque Sunport (ABQ), New Mexico, he noticed the airspeed indicator was erratic and not indicating a normal climb speed. After leveling off, the indicated airspeed was 70 to 80 knots. He compared this with the GPS (Global Positioning System) ground speed and noticed a "significant difference." Later, while circling a house, the airspeed "went to zero knots." The pilot returned for landing at ABQ. He said he mentally went through the GUMPs (gas, undercarriage, mixture prop) checklist but was distracted by the airspeed indicator and radio traffic. As he flared for landing and reduced power, he heard a horn sounding and mistook it for the marker beacon alert. The airplane landed wheels up. A post-accident examination revealed the airplane's fuselage skin and U-shaped former (where the lift struts attach) were ground down, necessitating replacement. An examination of the pitot tube showed it was plugged with insects. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9849C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9849C), registered now, S/N R18200469, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA R182RG - Registry model: [Cessna R182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r182) (registry code 2072734) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R18200469 - Airframe hours: 4093 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: 377 Morale Welfare Rcreational Services Aero Club - Registered owner: 377 Morale Welfare Rcreational Services Aero Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 22, 2010, 72 hours before - Departed: ABQ, Albuquerque, NM - Destination: ABQ, Albuquerque, NM - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: ABQ, Albuquerque Intl. Sunport, runway 08, 13,793 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 7, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 3,100 total, 400 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: ABQ ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20100621036979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100621036979A), Jun 21, 2010: Cessna R182, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. After departure from abq, the pilot experienced an airspeed indicator failure where the airspeed indication dropped to near zero by the time the aircraft had… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76421. 522 KB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 522 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334824&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.