This September 2008 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna 172RG. Injuries: None. Location: St. Louis. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot had just lifted off when he noted that he had a “landing gear problem.” After multiple attempts to extend the landing gear, he performed a gear up landing, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.
Examination revealed that the nose gear door was jammed and had prevented the nose landing gear from extending. An examination of the maintenance records revealed that the day prior to the accident, the airplane was in for maintenance directly related to the landing gear door and damage to the door lip. The mechanic performed two gear swings without issue and the airplane was returned to service with the intent to repair the gear door damage when the airplane was in for an annual inspection in October.
Probable cause: The improper maintenance, resulting in a jammed nose landing gear door preventing the extension of the nose landing gear.
For more information: NTSB.gov
It reminds me of my days, way back, in the military. When you checked the gripes for maintenance action, you then did a serious pre-flight of those items on which work was just completed.