# NTSB CEN11CA561: Cessna TR182, N9281R, Bloomington, IN, August 9, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 9, 2011, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Bloomington, IN - Coordinates: 39.14611, -86.616668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1461&lon=-86.6167&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 17, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Indianapolis Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 81452 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA561 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81452/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81452 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA561 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear prior to landing. ## 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 TR182, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was practicing takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern when the accident occurred. He noted that he did not follow his normal routine, which was to lower the landing gear prior to extending the wing flaps while on downwind leg; instead he only extended the flaps. After extending the flaps, the pilot noticed that the airspeed was low. He subsequently became fixated on maintaining a sufficient airspeed and did not notice that the landing gear was not extended. Additionally, he did not complete a before landing checklist. The airplane touched down on the runway without the gear extended, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot noted that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was practicing takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern when the accident occurred. He noted that he did not follow his normal routine, which was to lower the landing gear prior to the wing flaps while on downwind leg; instead he lowered the flaps. At that time, he noticed that the airspeed was low. The pilot stated that he subsequently became fixated on maintaining airspeed and did not notice that the landing gear was not extended. Additionally, he did not complete a before landing checklist. The pilot noted that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage during the gear-up landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9281R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9281R), registered now, S/N R18200678, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA TR182 - Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R18200678 - Airframe hours: 3950 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bmg Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Bmg Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 2011 - Departed: BMG, Bloomington, IN - Destination: BMG, Bloomington, IN - Airport: BMG, Monroe County, runway 35, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 9, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 312 total, 13 in this make and model, 229 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: BMG ## 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 20110809016719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110809016719A), Aug 9, 2011: Cessna TR182, Bloomington, IN, Substantial damage. Pilot failed to lower landing gear prior to landing. Pilot stated that he changed his normal routine for landing causing him to forget to put the gear down… ## Other investigations on N9281R (1) 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. - [NTSB GAA16CA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA226), May 7, 2016: Cessna TR182 (N9281R), Bloomington, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain the airplane's descent rate resulting in a hard landing, and subsequent substantial damage to the firewall. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 25, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81452. 861 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 861 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40352790&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.