Incident Overview
A pilot reported that the landing gear switch was in the down position when the takeoff roll began. As the aircraft accelerated to approximately 50 mph during the takeoff roll, the landing gear retracted or collapsed, starting with the nose wheel followed by the main gear.
Pilot Account
After the aircraft slid to a stop, the pilot moved the landing gear switch from the 'down' to the 'up' position before exiting the aircraft. The pilot also noted that when he arrived at the aircraft, the flap switch was in the 'down' position, but the flaps themselves were retracted. He believed that someone had moved the flap switch to the down position after the master switch was turned off.
Maintenance Findings
Maintenance personnel who were at the aircraft immediately after the mishap confirmed that the landing gear switch was in the 'up' position when they arrived.
System Inspection
An inspection of the landing gear and gear warning systems revealed no evidence of a pre-accident malfunction. The gear warning horn sounded when tested with the squat switch open. The pilot stated that he did not hear a warning horn during the takeoff sequence.