What happened
The accident occurred while the pilot was executing a short field landing maneuver. The objective of the flight phase was to minimize ground roll distance upon touchdown. During the initial portion of the landing roll, the pilot intended to raise the flaps. This action was planned to shift the weight of the aircraft forward onto the wheels, thereby increasing traction and assisting in the stopping process.
However, the pilot inadvertently operated the wrong control switch. Instead of retracting the flaps as intended, the pilot retracted the landing gear. This error resulted in the loss of structural support from the wheels, causing the aircraft to come to rest on its belly or fuselage after leaving the paved surface.
The investigation
Post-acc examination confirmed that the landing gear had been retracted while the aircraft was still on the ground during the landing roll. There were no mechanical failures reported regarding the control systems themselves; the issue was attributed to pilot error in selecting the correct switch under time pressure.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this accident was the inadvertent retraction of the landing gear during the critical phase of flight immediately following touchdown. The pilot later acknowledged the mistake and provided a recommendation for prevention: pilots should avoid manipulating any aircraft controls until the aircraft is fully clear of the runway environment.
Safety message
This incident highlights the importance of maintaining strict procedural discipline during high-workload phases such as short field landings. Pilots are reminded to verify control inputs carefully, especially when transitioning between flight and ground operations.