Incident Details
The pilot of a general aviation aircraft elected to conduct a straight-in visual flight rules (VFR) approach to a non-towered destination airport. The flight had departed from a nearby point and lasted less than 10 minutes. At the time of the approach, there was departing traffic from the same airport.
Pilot Actions
The pilot reported that he became distracted while discussing the departing traffic with his passenger. He stated that he normally ensures the landing gear is extended while on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, but on this occasion he did not follow that practice. He further noted that he did not use a pre-landing checklist, which would have included a gear extension check.
Outcome
As a result, the pilot failed to lower the landing gear prior to touchdown. The subsequent contact with the runway surface occurred with the gear retracted, causing damage to a fuselage bulkhead.