Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 114; Flight Crew Total 1366
Other / Unknown; Situational Awareness; Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Gear Up Landing
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Weather
When flying VFR to ZZZZ at 9;500 FT due to overcast ceiling; ATC reported ceiling 1;000 BKN and 20 miles from the field to descend to 030. At 3;000 FT I was over the broken clouds and was transmitted for me to 'report runway insight;' which I did at one mile once I saw runway insight. After reported; ATC gave me clearance to land. With the checklist on my hand; I started the procedures; gear down; etc. The motor was running. I was too close to the ground when I noticed that the gear did not come down. I tried to go-around; but it was too late. I realized too; with the prop hitting the ground; there was not enough time to climb.
C172RG pilot reports a belly landing when the landing gear fails to extend prior to touching down and the propeller contacting the runway. A visual approach was being attempted through a broken cloud layer.