# NTSB WPR25LA237: Cessna R182, N2658C, Thermal, CA, July 31, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 31, 2025, 09:19 local (16:19 UTC) - Place: Thermal, CA - Coordinates: 33.630469, -116.16122 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6305&lon=-116.1612&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 12, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 200705 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200705/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200705 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA237 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to use a pre-landing checklist. ## 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) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna R182, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna R182, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [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 R182, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=2072734), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); 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 The pilot reported that, while in the pattern practicing touch and go landings, he forgot to extend the landing gear and that he landed with the landing gear retracted. Subsequently, the airplane slid down the runway before it came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower fuselage. The pilot indicated that he did not use a pre-landing checklist. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2658C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2658C), registered now, S/N R18200198, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA R182 (NO SERIES EXISTS) - 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: R18200198 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 4480 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 23, 2024 - Departed: KUDD, Bermuda Dunes, CA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: TRM, Jacqueline Cochran Rgnl, runway 17/35, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 5 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KTRM - METAR: KTRM 311652Z AUTO 14003KT 10SM CLR 34/12 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP125 T03390122 TSNO ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 12, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200705. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19465727&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR25LA237-6120_1_Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 629 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19465903&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=68237-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.