Event Description
During the takeoff ground roll, all three landing gear retracted immediately before the airplane reached rotation speed. The aircraft subsequently settled back onto the runway surface. The left wingtip contacted the runway, causing the airplane to cartwheel and travel into a rising dirt embankment before coming to rest on the side of the runway.
Witness Accounts
A pilot-rated witness observed the takeoff ground roll and noted that all three landing gear retracted prior to rotation, leading to the airplane settling back onto the runway. The witness approached the airplane to assist the occupants and spoke with the flight instructor. According to the witness, the instructor stated that the student pilot may have placed the landing gear selector switch in the up position instead of the flaps selector after the previous landing.
Instructor Statement
In a written statement, the flight instructor reported that the nose gear collapsed during the takeoff ground roll. The instructor provided no further explanation for the event.