SEA07CA268

The pilot did not extend the gear prior to landing and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the tubular structure on the underside of the fuselage. The pilot had recently purchased the airplane and was flying it on a cross-country flight. During the flight, the pilot became ill and diverted to a nearby airport. The airplane bounced upon touchdown and the airplane skidded down the runway. The pilot reported to responding police personnel that he forgot to extend the landing gear. Post accident examination of the airplane and landing gear systems by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no mechanical anomalies with the landing gear system.

The pilot reported that he had purchased the airplane on the day of the accident. He was flying it from Concord, California to Carson City, Nevada. During the flight, he started to feel ill and diverted to Placerville, California. He entered the traffic pattern on the downwind for runway 23. On final approach, the runway lights turned off and the pilot reactivated the lights. A few seconds later the airplane bounced and then settled down, skidding down the runway. The pilot thought that the gear collapsed on the initial bounce because the gear arm was not locked. The following day the pilot inspected the baggage area and noted that a lid to a paint can had come loose and was most likely what made him ill.

According to the responding police personnel, the pilot told him that he became disoriented while landing and forgot to extend the landing gear. The pilot was acting disoriented and lethargic.

The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that during the airplane's recovery from the runway, it was lifted with a hoist and the landing gear was cycled. There were no mechanical malfunctions noted with the landing gear. The damage to the airplane included the tubular structure on the underside of the fuselage.