Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to use the checklist before landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot intended to make a full-stop landing. However, the pilot did not extend the landing gear before landing, and the airplane touched down with the landing gear up, resulting in substantial damage to a fuselage bulkhead. The pilot stated that he had a checklist in his lap, but he became distracted and did not reference the checklist before landing.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot, who intended to make a full-stop landing at the non-controlled destination airport, entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg. He then continued on around the traffic pattern to his planned visual flight rules landing. Because he did not lower the landing gear before the airplane touched down, it landed gear-up, resulting in substantial damage to a fuselage bulkhead. Although the pilot had a checklist in his lap, he said he became distracted and did not reference it.