Cessna 182B accident near Belen, New Mexico, July 4, 2025
On July 4, 2025 at about 3:00 pm local time, a 1959 Cessna 182B, registered N7166E, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Belen, New Mexico (Belen Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 2025 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Belen, New Mexico · Belen Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182B, built 1959 · all 182Bs on the register
- Registration
- N7166E · registry record · serial 52166
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On July 4, 2025, about 0900 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 182B, N7166E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Belen, New Mexico. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll, the airplane became airborne prematurely, when the airspeed indicator displayed 40 knots. They thought it was due to ground effect, and leveled the airplane to gain airspeed, however, the indicated airspeed did not increase. The pilot stated that while in ground effect, the airplane’s ground speed increased, and the airplane “felt” like it wanted to climb. Near the end of the available runway, the pilot concluded that the airspeed indicator was not displaying correctly, and was unsure how fast the airplane was flying, and initiated a climb, as the airspeed continued to indicate 40 knots. The pilot remained within the airport traffic pattern for runway 03, and while on downwind, noticed the indicated airspeed rose to 60 knots, then while on final, it had reduced to 40 knots. During landing, the airplane bounced and subsequently landed hard on the nose landing gear. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the forward fuselage and engine mount. The wreckage was retained for further examination.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Hard landing during landing defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 03/2, 6,601 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Wind: from 030° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 am from KBRG
Weather report (METAR): KBRG 041415Z AUTO 03003KT 10SM 20/12 A3022 RMK AO2 T02040121
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.