Accident Overview
On April 30, 2016, at approximately 0930 central daylight time (CDT), a Piper PA-31 airplane, registration N192CS, landed with its landing gear retracted at Skylark Field Airport (KILE) in Killeen, Texas. The airplane was substantially damaged, specifically to the fuselage frame and stringers. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The aircraft was registered to Bunkie Bird, LLC and was being operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight.
Flight and Weather
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the flight, and no instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. According to the pilot, the automated terminal information system reported ceilings of 1,200 feet. After takeoff, the pilot observed "considerable weather" along his intended route and contacted approach control to request a return to the departure airport to "wait out the weather."
Landing Sequence
On approach, the pilot lowered the flaps to 15° to slow the airplane to within the gear-down speed. He noticed that the flaps continued past the 15° setting and he removed his hand from the landing gear lever to raise the flaps back to the fully retracted position. The pilot then overshot the runway during the turn to final. As he attempted to align the airplane with the runway centerline, he heard a warning horn and believed it was the stall warning horn. He subsequently landed the airplane on the runway with the landing gear retracted.
Pilot's Actions
After the accident, the pilot stated that he had mistaken the gear-up warning horn for the stall warning horn. He also indicated that he did not visually check the landing gear indicator lights or look at the mirrors to verify that the landing gear was down and locked.