Incident Overview
A pilot reported an unexpected gear-up landing during an approach to a destination airport. The flight proceeded normally until the landing phase, when the aircraft's propeller contacted the runway surface.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, the flight arrived at the destination airport and descended to traffic pattern altitude. The pilot entered the downwind leg via a normal 45-degree entry. While abeam the runway numbers, the pilot selected the landing gear handle to the down position and observed three green indicator lights. The aircraft decelerated as if gear drag were present.
The approach continued without any indications of abnormality. On final approach, the pilot reduced power to idle and entered ground effect. During the flare, approximately 2 to 5 feet above the runway, the gear warning horn sounded. However, it was only when the propeller struck the runway that the pilot realized the landing gear had not locked or may have cycled back to the up position. The aircraft came to rest on the right side of the runway.
Post-Incident Examination
After the aircraft was lifted from the runway, all three landing gears were found fully retracted in their respective wheel wells, with the doors closed. The pilot entered the cockpit and noted that the landing gear motor circuit breaker had popped. He cycled the landing gear handle from down to up and back to down, then reset the circuit breaker and turned on the master switch. The landing gear subsequently extended. The aircraft was then towed to a hangar.
Subsequent Checks
Following recovery, the aircraft was placed on jacks. In the presence of an FAA airworthiness inspector, six complete landing gear retraction and extension cycles were performed, with no discrepancies noted.