Accident Overview
A pilot reported that while approaching an airport to perform three touch-and-go landings, he did not extend the landing gear before touchdown. The aircraft settled onto the runway in a wings-level attitude, resulting in a bent propeller and substantial damage to the "hat" assemblies—U-shaped structural channels on the belly of the airplane.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that he reviewed the landing checklist as he neared the airport but did not lower the landing gear because he was not on the downwind leg, where he would normally complete the checklist. He noted, "As I turned final, I thought I had the gear down but didn't." He also reported that the gear-up warning horn never sounded.
Aircraft Examination
Following the incident, the landing gear handle was found in the UP position. When the aircraft was placed on jacks, the landing gear extended and retracted normally. Further inspection revealed that the "Warning Gear Unsafe" light—a one-inch square red light located directly in front of the pilot on the instrument panel—illuminated when the throttle was retarded to idle with the gear retracted. However, the "Gear Warning Horn" did not sound.
Inspection Findings
The examination confirmed that the landing gear system was functional, as it operated correctly when the aircraft was jacked. The warning light functioned as designed, but the audible horn failed to activate, contradicting the pilot's expectation that the horn would alert him to the gear-up condition.