On July 1, 1991, a Beech E-55 (registration N7268R) operated by Brian Payne was involved in an aviation accident near Bakersfield, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTION BY SELECTING GEAR UP INSTEAD OF FLAPS UP DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During the landing roll, the landing gear collapsed. Examination revealed the pilot had selected gear up instead of flaps up, then attempted to lower the gear, but the aircraft's weight prevented extension, causing the gear circuit breaker to pop.
Accident Sequence
The landing gear collapsed during the landing roll. The pilot had accumulated a total of 27 hours in the accident airplane after receiving a multiengine rating.
Examination Findings
Examination of the airplane at the scene showed the landing gear handle in the down position and the landing gear circuit breaker popped. Damage to the gear doors and gear actuating rods indicated that the pilot had selected the gear up instead of flaps up before the gear strut squat switches activated to prevent the gear from retracting. The pilot then selected the gear down position, but the weight of the airplane prevented the gear from extending, popping the gear motor circuit breaker.
Pilot Experience
Prior to operating the accident airplane, in the last 12 months, the pilot operated a tailwheel, fixed-gear airplane.