Accident Sequence
The purpose of the flight was to prepare the student for dual cross-country flights and familiarize him with the Piper PA-28R-201. Prior to this flight, the student pilot had been flying a Diamond Alarus. The instructor and student flew to a nearby airport, where they completed three touch and go landings. On the fourth touch and go, the student pilot "assertively retracted the gear without warning" instead of the flaps. The right main and nose landing gear retracted, and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway. The right wing struck a taxiway light, spinning the airplane around, and the left side of the fuselage struck a taxiway sign.
Aircraft and Flight Information
The aircraft involved was a Piper PA-28R-201. The flight was a training flight with a student pilot and an instructor. The student had previously been flying a Diamond Alarus, a training type airplane. The accident occurred at a nearby airport following three successful touch and go landings.
Examination Findings
According to FAA inspectors who examined the airplane, the squat switch on the landing gear had been rigged incorrectly. The squat switch actuated at 0.625 inches, exceeding the airplane's service manual requirement by 0.375 inches, or 150 percent. There were no entries in the maintenance records involving the squat switch. The torque seal on the squat switch mounting screws showed no signs of being disturbed.
Damage
The right wing was wrinkled and there was a gash from the leading edge back to the spar. The propeller blade was bent. The left side of the fuselage was wrinkled and buckled.