Pilot Raises Gear Instead of Flaps During Touch-and-Go

Casualties unknown • Eau Claire, WI, US

A pilot with minimal experience in the accident aircraft inadvertently raised the landing gear during a touch-and-go maneuver, causing the plane to stop on the runway grass.

What happened

The pilot intended to execute a touch-and-go landing. After the aircraft touched down successfully, he attempted to deploy the flaps for the next phase of the maneuver. However, without looking at the controls, he raised what he believed was the flap lever. He soon realized he had inadvertently raised the gear control lever instead. The aircraft subsequently came to a stop on the grass to the right side of the runway with the landing gear retracted.

The investigation

The pilot reported a total flight time of 1,193 hours, but only 4 hours were logged in the accident make and model. He stated that his previous flight experience and habits were developed in aircraft featuring a different flap and gear handle configuration.

Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent raising of the landing gear during a touch-and-go maneuver, attributed to his lack of recent experience in the specific aircraft type and differing control configurations from previous aircraft.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-08-27 Piper PA-23-160 accident near Eau Claire, WI?

A pilot with minimal experience in the accident aircraft inadvertently raised the landing gear during a touch-and-go maneuver, causing the plane to stop on the runway grass.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-08-27 involved a Piper PA-23-160, registration N8886, operated by Virgil L. Barnes, at Eau Claire, WI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's inadvertent raising of the landing gear during a touch-and-go maneuver, attributed to his lack of recent experience in the specific aircraft type and differing control configurations from previous aircraft.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X29085. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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