Incident
The aircraft executed a landing with the landing gear retracted. The pilot reported that he had initially lowered the gear but raised it when air traffic control requested he circle while equipment was cleared from the runway. After being cleared to land, the pilot approached the runway and observed a person on the ground waving at him. The pilot did not associate the waving with the gear being up; instead, the distraction led him to omit the final gear check, resulting in a gear-up landing.
Details
According to the pilot's statement, the sequence began when air traffic control asked him to circle to allow for equipment removal from the runway. In response, he raised the landing gear. Upon receiving clearance to land, he began his approach. During this phase, a person on the ground waved at the aircraft. The pilot acknowledged seeing the waving but did not interpret it as a signal regarding the landing gear. He noted that the waving distracted him from completing the final gear check, and the landing was subsequently made with the gear retracted.
Conclusion
The incident was attributed to the pilot's distraction caused by the person waving on the ground, which interfered with his execution of the pre-landing gear check. No further information on aircraft type, registration, or injuries was provided.