Accident Overview
A flight instructor and a private pilot were practicing landings. Prior to the accident, air work included multiple flap transitions from 40 degrees to 20 degrees. On short final for a touch-and-go landing, the flaps were selected to the full down position of 40 degrees. The touchdown occurred within 300 feet of the runway threshold.
Landing Rollout and Takeoff Attempt
During the landing rollout, the instructor directed the student to set the flaps to 20 degrees. The instructor verified the selection by looking at the flap selector lever. Power was added and the airplane rotated approximately 600 to 700 feet down the runway.
In-Flight Flap Issue
After five seconds in the air, the rear-seated passenger announced that the flaps were still full down. The instructor looked at the flap handle, which was at the 20-degree position, then moved it several times between the 20-degree and 0-degree positions. The rear-seated passenger again announced that the flaps were not moving.
Performance and Decision to Land
Observing poor rate of climb, the instructor retracted the landing gear to reduce drag. Concerned about clearing obstacles ahead, he elected to land straight ahead on the remaining 2,200 feet of runway. Taking control, he reduced power and selected the landing gear to extend.
Landing and Gear Collapse
When the aircraft touched down, the nose gear was fully locked down, but both main landing gear were not in the down and locked position. They partially collapsed due to inadequate time to extend.
Post-Accident Inspection
An FAA inspector arrived about one hour after the accident and found the flaps in the 40-degree position. All attempts by the inspector to move the flaps out of the 40-degree position using the flap selector lever were unsuccessful. However, after the aircraft was moved and the main landing gear extended to its down and locked position, the flaps operated normally through their full range. An airframe and power plant mechanic found no anomalies that would have prevented normal operation.
Prior Flap Issue
On the preceding flight, the flaps had been written up as sticking full down twice.