History of the Flight
After a routine flight, the pilot joined the left base leg for Runway 09. Approximately one mile from the threshold, he performed landing checks, including selecting the landing gear down. The passenger cross-checked that the gear check was called out and the lever moved. Ground observers confirmed the gear was deployed as the aircraft passed over on final approach.
During the flare and hold-off, the landing seemed normal. However, as the aircraft settled onto the runway after touchdown, the pilot felt the aircraft was closer to the ground than usual. During the rollout, a smell of burning rubber was noticed, and a detached propeller blade passed over the canopy. The pilot taxied the aircraft off the runway and exited normally.
Upon exiting, the pilot discovered the landing gear had semi-retracted, causing the tyre to rub against the wheel well structure.
Aircraft Description
The Europa XS Europa is a homebuilt aircraft issued a Permit to Fly. It can be equipped with either fixed tricycle landing gear or a retractable main wheel with a fixed tailwheel and retractable wing outriggers. The accident aircraft had the retractable system. This system uses a single long-throw lever that simultaneously lowers the main wheel, flaps, and outriggers. To retract the gear, the lever is moved left out of a gate and then firmly backward. To lock the gear and flaps down, the lever is moved right into another gate. A spring-loaded latch then drops into a slot between the two gates to secure the lever in the down position.
When the gear is extended, the flaps also deploy, causing the aircraft to pitch nose-down and alter the approach picture. The pilot stated that he associated this change with successful gear extension.
Engineering Findings
A thorough post-accident inspection by the pilot and his Light Aircraft Association inspector found no failures in the gear mechanism that could have caused the gear to retract on the ground. There were no witness marks indicating that the gear lever had jumped or been forced out of position.
Conclusion
The pilot concluded that the evidence suggested he had selected the gear down but had not ensured the latch engaged to lock the gear in place. This allowed the gear to partially retract under the aircraft's weight. He noted that confirming the latch was secure would normally be part of his pre-landing routine, but on this occasion that check was omitted.