It was one of those accidents that changed the system. There was no "wheels check" prior to this prang. It brought about the gear check by ATC for mil aircraft which clearly absolves the pilot from ANY responsibility for a wheels up landing.
A classic knee-jerk reaction, that one - the good old gear check - great for a knuck-centric universe which assumes you're always going somewhere with a tower, and it's always open when you arrive there ...
