Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to lower the landing gear before touchdown.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
At the conclusion of an uneventful flight, the pilot entered the airport traffic pattern for landing. The pilot reported that while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern for landing, he failed to extend the landing gear and landed with the landing gear retracted. The airplane subsequently touched down on the runway and sustained substantial damage to the underside of the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident machinal malfunctions or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.