What happened
On June 9, 2014, at approximately 16:10 local time, a Cessna 172RG, registration HB-CFO, was involved in a ground incident at Buttwil Aerodrome (LSZU). Following a landing, the aircraft was taxiing on the ground when a mechanical error occurred during the operation of the cockpit controls. During this sequence, the pilot inadvertently operated the landing gear lever instead of the carburetor heat control. This action caused the nose gear to retract while the aircraft was still in contact with the surface. As the nose of the aircraft descended, the propeller made contact with the ground.
The investigation
The investigation established that while the nose gear was retracted, the main landing gear remained in the extended position. The impact between the propeller and the ground resulted in damage to the propeller and the landing gear doors. The incident resulted in one person seriously injured (the pilot) and three persons with minor or no injuries (passengers).
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a mismanipulation of the cockpit controls, specifically the accidental retraction of the nose gear due to the pilot operating the landing gear lever instead of the carburetor heat lever.