Accident Summary
A retractable landing gear airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage when it landed with the landing gear retracted. The event occurred during a simulated 180° power-off landing approach.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that during the approach, he became fixated on his touchdown point and consequently did not complete the landing checklist. He stated that he did not look outside to verify that the main landing gear was down nor did he confirm a green landing gear position indicator light. The airplane landed with the gear retracted.
In a follow-up email, the pilot noted that he was using an active noise reducing headset during the accident flight. He added that although the landing gear warning horn was audible, it did not register in his brain as a warning that the landing gear was retracted.
Damage and Mechanical Status
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage as a result of the gear-up landing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Additional Details
The pilot was performing a simulated 180° power-off landing, a maneuver often used to practice engine-out procedures. The pilot's fixation on the touchdown point and incomplete checklist led to the omission of verifying the landing gear position before touchdown.