# NTSB ERA24LA108: Cessna R182, N756ZW, Abingdon, VA, February 4, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 4, 2024, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Abingdon, VA - Coordinates: 36.686186, -82.035334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6862&lon=-82.0353&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193756 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193756/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193756 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA108 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to lower the airplane's landing gear prior to landing, which resulted in abnormal runway contact. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/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); 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) - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna R182, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis During a youth demonstration flight, the pilot became distracted looking for another airplane in the traffic pattern and sharing information with the young passengers. He subsequently forgot to lower the landing gear, and the airplane landed gear up, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident anomalies or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and added that he heard no cockpit warnings since he was wearing a noise cancelling headset. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N756ZW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N756ZW-2025-02-25), registration cancelled 2025-02-25, S/N R18201208, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA R182 - 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: R18201208 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 4619 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 2023, 67.2 hours before - Airport: VJI, Virginia Highlands, runway 06, 4,471 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 11, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 15,047 total, 375 in this make and model, 14,684 as pilot in command, 184 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: VJI - METAR: KVJI 042135Z AUTO 10009KT 10SM CLR 13/M06 A2981 RMK AO2 T01321060 ## 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 20240204000639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240204000639A), Feb 4, 2024: Cessna R182, Abingdon, VA, Substantial damage. During an in-person interview post accident the PIC stated he forgot to lower the landing gear resulting in a gear up landing. No aircraft irregularities were… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 4, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193756. 6.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16726599&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA108%206120%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 940 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16727106&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record - damage assessment (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16727045&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20damage%20assessment-Rel.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.