Probable cause
The pilot's failure to lower the airplane's landing gear prior to landing, which resulted in abnormal runway contact.
NTSB 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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA24LA108 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 4, 2024
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Abingdon, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Virginia Highlands (VJI)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna R182
- N-number
- N756ZW
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1979
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.