SEA96LA011

The pilot reported that his attention was diverted, and he forgot to extend the landing gear prior to touch down on the runway. The pilot also stated that the gear-up light was obstructed and the landing gear warning horn did not sound, but that he did remember hearing a 'clicking' sound. Later, the landing gear warning horn was determined to be inoperative and that it did make an intermittent 'clicking' sound during the test.

On October 24, 1995, about 1330 mountain daylight time, N1752X, a Cessna 210L, operated by the owner/pilot, was substantially damaged during an inadvertent wheels-up landing in Lincoln, Montana. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he entered the pattern on a left base for runway 22. The pilot stated that this was unusual for him, and he felt that his attention was diverted when it was time to extend the landing gear. The pilot also stated that the gear up light was obstructed and that he did not hear the landing gear warning horn, but recalled hearing a "clicking" noise during final approach.

A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Helena Flight Standards District Office ground tested the landing gear warning horn and confirmed that it made an intermittent "clicking" noise. The inspector also reported that the airplane skidded on the runway for 182 yards and caused substantial damage to the fuselage structure.