What happened
On 18 December 1998, a Piper PA-23-250, registration G-BATX, was performing a private flight at Shoreham Airport, West Sussex. Following a series of low approaches and go-arounds, the pilot executed a normal approach and landed the aircraft. After touchdown and a significant reduction in speed, the left main landing gear leg began to collapse slowly. The pilot immediately shut down both engines, disconnected electrical services and fuel, and evacuated the two passengers.
During the subsequent salvage operation to clear the runway, airport management and fire services used an air bag to lift the left wing. While attempting to manually extend the left gear, the right main leg inadvertently retracted, causing the aircraft to fall onto the ground and resulting in damage to the right wing and the left propeller.