Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, while entering the airport’s traffic pattern to land on runway 11, he started the before landing checklist procedure but did not lower the landing gear because the airspeed was too fast. Then, on the final leg of the traffic pattern, he was focusing on maintaining a slip in the crosswind and he did not extend the landing gear. The airplane touched down with the landing gear retracted, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Around the time of the accident, the wind was reported from 140° at 9 knots.