N9038NAero Commander 500 S · 1969

The pilot reported that as he was landing from a visual approach at his destination airport, he realized he had failed to extend the landing gear and the airplane landed with the landing gear retracted. The airplane skidded down the runway, departed the runway surface and hit a berm and fence before it came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. After the accident, the pilot stated that despite hours of operation, always use a paper or electronic written checklist.