What happened
While approaching the destination airport, the pilot extended the wing flaps and lowered the landing gear, confirming the deployment via three green gear lights. The aircraft floated over the 3640-foot long runway, making initial contact with the surface approximately 800 to 900 feet beyond the threshold.
Following touchdown, the right main landing gear partially retracted, and the wing made contact with the runway surface. This sequence caused the aircraft to veer off the runway and into a ditch.
The investigation
An examination of the wreckage revealed that the wing flaps were in the retracted position and had sustained damage from ground impact. Investigators determined that the landing gear system was otherwise functioning normally.
Physical evidence indicated that during the rollout, the landing gear motor was activated while weight was being applied to the left main gear. This activation caused the left gear actuator arm to bend and led to the partial retraction of the right gear.