NTSB CEN10CA341 — 2010-06-21 · Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Current FAA registration · N9849C

Make / Model: CESSNA R182
Year of manufacture: 1978 · 32 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES (250 hp)
Seats / Engines: 4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19780712
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S ADBD96

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N9849C Cessna R182RG None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction with an erroneous airspeed indicator.

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. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Forgotten action/omission-Pilot - C
F Personnel issues-Task performance-Workload management-(general)-Pilot - F

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2010_CEN10CA341.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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