Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during the landing approach, he inadvertently positioned the four-position landing gear selector lever to the down-neutral setting rather than the full-down position. This error prevented the landing gear from extending.
Pilot Actions and Observations
The pilot stated that he failed to notice several indications that the landing gear had not deployed. Specifically, he did not detect the absence of the usual sound and feel associated with gear extension, did not see the illuminated green landing gear position indicator light, and did not visually confirm that the main landing gear had not extended.
Damage Assessment
The airplane landed with the gear retracted, resulting in damage to multiple lower fuselage structural bulkheads and stringers.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident inspection of the landing gear extension and retraction system revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal gear extension.
Pilot's Comments
The pilot noted that the accident could have been avoided if he had used a checklist to ensure the landing gear was properly extended. He also mentioned that the airplane's landing gear unsafe warning horn had been inoperative for some time prior to the incident.
Probable Cause
The pilot's mistaken selection of the landing gear selector lever to the down-neutral position instead of the full-down position, and his failure to recognize the lack of positive indication of gear extension.