What happened
The incident occurred during a training flight involving a touch-and-go maneuver. The aircraft was on final approach and subsequently touched down on the runway. As part of the standard procedure for a touch-and-go, the student pilot initiated the climb-out phase without stopping.
During the landing roll, the student pilot raised the flaps in preparation for takeoff. While managing the flight controls and configuration, the student inadvertently manipulated the landing gear handle. The instructor observed the student moving the gear handle up and down during this critical phase of flight. This action resulted in the retraction of the landing gear while the aircraft was still on the ground.
The investigation
The primary focus of the review was the sequence of events leading to the gear retraction. The instructor provided a firsthand account of the student's actions during the landing roll. It was confirmed that the gear handle was moved multiple times by the student pilot during the operation.
Findings
The accident was caused by the student pilot's inadvertent retraction of the landing gear during the landing roll. This error occurred while the pilot was attempting to raise the flaps for takeoff. The confusion between control inputs or lack of situational awareness regarding the gear handle position contributed to the event.
Safety message
This incident highlights the importance of precise cockpit management during high-workload phases of flight. Pilots must ensure they are familiar with the location and operation of all controls, particularly those that can be easily confused or activated by mistake during critical maneuvers like touch-and-go landings.