Incident Overview
The accident involved an airplane conducting an on-demand charter flight. The airline transport certificated pilot was positioning the aircraft to begin the flight. During the landing roll at the destination airport, the landing gear unexpectedly collapsed. According to the director of operations, the pilot had intended to raise the flaps but instead inadvertently raised the landing gear handle.
Damage Details
The airplane sustained damage to multiple components. The propeller, landing gear doors, the lower portion of the nose cowling, and the right wingtip were affected. Additionally, the left and right butt ribs, located inboard and longitudinally along the landing gear wheel wells, were buckled. The right butt rib also exhibited a vertical tear in the metal structure.
Findings
The director of operations, upon landing to inspect the airplane, noted that the landing gear handle was in the 'UP' position. The incident was attributed to the pilot's inadvertent activation of the landing gear handle instead of the flaps control.