Pilot Debrief

Beech A36 near Summerland Key, FL — 2018-11-23

Final reportERA19TA067
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Date
2018-11-23
Location
Summerland Key, FL, USA
Airport
FD51
Aircraft
Beech A36
Registration
N41VK
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Taxi

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadvertent retraction of the landing gear during landing rollout, resulting in a landing gear collapse.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during taxi after landing on a 2,550-ft-long asphalt runway, he intended to retract the flaps, but accidently retracted the landing gear, resulting in the nose gear and right main landing gear collapsing on the runway. The pilot added that that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the accident site revealed runway scrape marks and propeller strikes originating about 1,000 ft beyond the approach end of the runway. The marks extended about 500 ft and terminated at the wreckage, off the left side of the runway. The left main landing gear remained extended and the right wing and lower fuselage sustained damage. The length of scrape marks and extent of damage were consistent with a landing gear collapse during a high-speed landing rollout, rather than a low-speed taxi after landing. The airplane was equipped with a squat switch on both main landing gear to prevent inadvertent landing gear retraction on the ground; however, the switch required weight-on-wheels to work effectively. It's likely that the pilot bounced the landing and attempted to retract the flaps in an effort to settle the airplane on the runway for better wheel braking; however, without weight on the right main landing gear, the gear retracted when the pilot inadvertently moved the landing gear lever instead of the flap lever.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have double-checked gear position before retracting flaps.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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