Incident Summary
A multiengine, retractable landing gear airplane sustained substantial damage during a gear-up landing on runway 21. The pilot reported that while on downwind for landing, a passenger in the rear of the airplane distracted his attention during prelanding checks, leading him to fail to lower the landing gear. The pilot stated, "I just forgot to put the gear down after talking to the passenger."
Distractions During Final Approach
In his written statement to the NTSB, the pilot added that while on short final, a flock of large birds again distracted his attention from completing a final gear check before landing. The airplane landed on its belly, slid for about 550 feet, and came to rest in the center of the runway, approximately 1,000 feet from the threshold of the approach end of runway 21.
Aircraft Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage bulkheads and belly skin. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.