Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The flight instructor reported that while in the traffic pattern for landing, he and the student became distracted while trying to avoid another aircraft and they failed to extend the landing gear before landing. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The flight instructor stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.