# NTSB CEN12LA473: Cessna TR182, N73VX, Steamboat Springs, CO, July 24, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 24, 2012, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Steamboat Springs, CO - Coordinates: 40.516387, -106.866386 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5164&lon=-106.8664&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Denver FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84432 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA473 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84432/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84432 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA473 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [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) ## 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 inadvertently landed without extending the landing gear. He noted that he did not hear the landing gear warning horn until the airplane was in the landing flare. The airplane slid on its lower fuselage approximately 1,200 feet before it struck a runway edge identifier light and a lighted taxiway sign. The pilot noted that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. According to a mechanic who responded to the accident site, the landing gear position handle was found in the "UP" position. The landing gear warning horn sounded, although faintly, when the master power switch was turned on. The landing gear fully extended into the down-and-locked position after the airplane was lifted off the ground and the landing gear handle was placed in the "DOWN" position. With the landing gear fully extended, the green landing gear position light illuminated and the warning horn stopped sounding. The postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical anomalies or failures with the landing gear extension system. ## Factual narrative On July 24, 2012, at 1230 mountain daylight time, a Cessna model TR182 airplane, N73VX, was substantially damaged during a wheels-up landing at Steamboat Springs Airport (KSBS), Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Steamboat Springs Flying Club, LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 while on an instrument flight rule (IFR) flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from Rangely Airport (4V0), Rangely, Colorado, about 1100. The pilot reported that he canceled his IFR flight plan after the airplane had descended beneath the cloud ceiling during his instrument approach to runway 32 (4,452 feet by 100 feet, asphalt). He then proceeded to land without extending the landing gear. The pilot reported that he did not hear the landing gear warning horn until the airplane was in the landing flare. The airplane slid on its lower fuselage approximately 1,200 feet before it struck a runway edge identifier light and a lighted taxiway sign. The lower fuselage was substantially damaged during the wheels-up landing. The pilot noted that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. According to a mechanic who responded to the accident site, the landing gear position handle was found in the "UP" position. The landing gear warning horn sounded, although faintly heard, when the master power switch was turned-on. The landing gear fully extended into the down-and-locked position after the airplane was lifted off the ground and the landing gear handle was placed in the "DOWN" position. With the landing gear fully extended, the green landing gear position light illuminated and the warning horn stopped sounding. The postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical anomalies or failures with the landing gear extension system. At 1233, the airport's automatic weather observing station reported the following weather conditions: wind from 220 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 miles, broken ceiling 12,000 feet above ground level, temperature 27 degrees Celsius, dew point 04 degrees Celsius, altimeter 30.21 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73VX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73VX-2020-12-17), registration cancelled 2020-12-17, S/N R18201011, built 1979 (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: R18201011 - Airframe hours: 2584 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-L3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Steamboat Springs Flying Club, LLC - Registered owner: Steamboat Springs Flying Club, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 2011 - Departed: 4V0, Rangely, CO - Destination: KSBS, Steamboat Springs, CO - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: KSBS, Steamboat Springs Airport, runway 32, 4,452 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 27, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 525 total, 224 in this make and model, 380 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KSBS ## 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 20120724015459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120724015459A), Jul 24, 2012: Cessna TR182, Steamboat Sprin, CO, Substantial damage. On 7/19/2012, approx. 1350 MDT, Cessna TR-182, N73VX, landed at sbs with landing gear retracted. Aircraft sustained substantial damage, 1 POB, no injuries. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84432. 742 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 588 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376115&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Email Correspondence with Aviation Mechanics Concerning Landing Gear Extension System and Damage Assessment (item 2, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376116&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Email%20Correspondence%20with%20Aviation%20Mechanics%20Concerning%20Landing%20Gear%20Extension%20System%20and%20Damage%20Assessment-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 3, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376118&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.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.