N6068P

On December 13, 2002, at 1530 central standard time, a Piper PA-24-180, airplane, N6068P, sustained substantial damage during a gear-up landing at the Odessa-Schlemeyer Airport, near Odessa, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight originated from the Odessa-Schlemeyer Airport approximately 1330.

On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) the pilot reported that the flight returned to the airport from the local area and entered left downwind for runway 16. During the before landing checks, the pilot thought that he had extended the landing gear. However, after the landing/flare, he realized that he did not have the landing gear down. The airplane came in contact with the runway, skidded 1,000-1,200 feet, then exited the runway into grass, weeds, and soft dirt before coming to rest. With the assistance of airport personnel, the airplane was lifted, the landing gear manually extended, and the airplane towed to the hangar.

The private pilot had accumulated 893 hours of flight time, of which 282 hours was in the accident make and model of retractable gear airplane.

The pilot and the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, found substantial damage to the lower forward cockpit structures and the engine firewall. The propeller was found bent.