Incident Overview
A pilot conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) approach to Runway 27 at Tampa International Airport in Tampa, Florida, landed with the landing gear retracted. The aircraft sustained minor damage, and the pilot was not injured.
Sequence of Events
According to the investigation, the pilot was on a VFR approach for landing on Runway 27. The control tower reported traffic located south of the extended centerline for Runway 27 at an altitude of 1,600 feet above ground level (AGL).
Upon hearing the traffic advisory, the pilot interrupted the before-landing check, looked, and identified the reported traffic. After identifying the traffic, the pilot continued with the before-landing check but omitted the step of lowering the landing gear.
Consequently, the airplane touched down with the landing gear still retracted. The landing resulted in minor damage to the aircraft. The pilot was not injured in the incident.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the pilot's interruption of the before-landing checklist led to the omission of the landing gear extension. No probable cause was explicitly stated by the investigating authority.
Aircraft and Operator Details
The specific type and registration of the aircraft, as well as the operator, were not disclosed in the source material. The incident occurred at Tampa International Airport (TPA) in Tampa, Florida.