Initial Approach and Landing
During the landing approach, the pilot selected 10 degrees of wing flaps and then moved the landing gear selector switch to the down position. The cockpit indications showed “three greens,” confirming that the landing gear was down, locked, and safe for landing.
Accident Sequence
After touchdown, as the airplane began its landing roll, the landing gear retracted unexpectedly. The airplane slid on the underside of the fuselage, veering to the right of the runway centerline. During the excursion, the right wing struck numerous runway edge lights, breaching the wing's fuel tank and igniting a post-crash fire.
Damage Assessment
The structural damage was extensive: the underside of the fuselage was damaged, and the right wing was destroyed. Propeller strike marks were observed starting near the touchdown point and continuing to the airplane's final stopping position, approximately 2,200 feet from initial ground contact.
Postaccident Examination
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a thorough inspection of the airplane. The landing gear assembly and its associated systems were examined for any preaccident mechanical malfunction. No evidence of malfunction was found. The airplane was placed on jack stands, and hydraulic pressure was supplied using a ground power unit. The landing gear retraction system was cycled multiple times, with all operations functioning normally and no anomalies detected.