What happened
On June 4, 2009, a Beech Duchess 76, registration EI-BUN, was conducting a training flight at Weston Airport in Co. Kildare. The flight involved an experienced instructor and two students, one of whom was performing their first-ever landing in a twin-engine aircraft.
During the final approach, the student pilot performed a flap-less landing on Runway 07. While the initial touchdown was smooth and the landing gear was confirmed down and locked, a critical error occurred seconds later. Shortly after the wheels touched the runway, the nosewheel retracted fully and the main landing gear began to move inward. This caused the aircraft to drop onto its nose, resulting in the propeller tips striking the runway surface. The aircraft slid approximately 25 and meters along the asphalt before coming to a halt. There were no injuries to the three occupants.
The investigation
Investigators from the AAIU examined the aircraft and the cockpit configuration. They discovered that the landing gear selector handle was found in the UP position. A key finding was the physical positioning of the student pilot; seated far forward in the left seat, the student's right knee was located within only 5 cm of the landing gear selector.
Technical testing revealed that when the student moved his feet upward to engage the brakes, his knee made contact with the selector, pulling it out of its safety detent and moving it to the UP position. Because the aircraft's speed was still above the 57-knot threshold, the safety pressure switch allowed the hydraulic pump to operate, facilitating the nosewheel retraction. The investigation also noted that the student's attempt to pull back on the control column to keep the nose up likely reduced the resistance against the nosewheel, aiding its retraction.
Findings
- The landing gear was properly extended and locked at the moment of touchdown.
- The inadvertent movement of the landing gear selector switch by the student's knee caused the retraction sequence.
- The student's lack of experience on this specific aircraft type contributed to a lack of awareness regarding the proximity of his knee to the control switch.
- The retraction process was halted only when the aircraft slowed below 57 kts, triggering the safety pressure switch to disable the gear motor.