N9849C – CESSNA R182RG – 2010-06-22 NTSB Accident Report

On June 22, 2010, a Cessna R182RG (N9849C) was involved in an incident near Albuquerque, NM. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to lower the landing gear. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction with an erroneous airspeed indicator.

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.

This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN10CA341. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9849C.