Piper PA-23-250, VH-EOU, Lake Gregory, Western Australia, on 31 August 1990

Circumstances:

The pilot reported that he had completed his pre-landing checks, that he had sighted three green lights prior to landing and that the landing gear had retracted during the landing roll. Ground markings and aircraft damage indicate that the landing gear was in the up position on touchdown and did not retract during the landing roll. A technical inspection of the landing gear did not disclose any fault which might have lead to inadvertent retraction of the gear or failure of the gear to extend when selected down. The flaps had not been extended past 10 degrees during the approach to land. It is most probable that the pilot did not correctly complete the pre-landing checks, and as a result did not select the landing gear down. The reasons why the pilot may have forgotten to extend the landing gear could not be determined.

Significant Factors:

The following factors were considered relevant to the development of the accident:

1. Possible inattention on the part of the pilot.

2. Failure to extend the landing gear.