Incident Overview
On 14 March 2003 at approximately 1225 UTC, a Yakovlev Yak-18T (registration RA44545) experienced an inadvertent landing gear retraction while taxiing at Popham airfield in Hampshire, England. The aircraft was manufactured in 1979 and powered by a single Ivchenko Vedeneyev M-14P turboprop engine. The private flight was operated by the pilot, the sole occupant, who held a Private Pilot's Licence and was 67 years old. His total flying experience was 1,329 hours, including 94 hours on type, with 10 hours in the last 90 days and 6 hours in the last 28 days.
Sequence of Events
After an uneventful landing on Popham's grass Runway 08, the pilot taxied toward the runway end. While turning the aircraft toward the runway exit at a speed of approximately 5 kt, he mistakenly moved the gear selector lever to the UP position. The landing gear retracted, causing damage to the propeller, lower engine cowling, exhaust system, access steps, and flaps. The pilot was not injured and exited the aircraft unaided.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that his usual procedure after landing is to bring the aircraft to a halt, then raise the flaps and check that a bolt on the gear selector lever is in the locking position, which should prevent the gear selector from being moved to UP. On this occasion, the locking mechanism was apparently not engaged, leading to the inadvertent retraction.
Damage
The damage was confined to the propeller, lower engine cowling, exhaust, access steps, and flaps. The aircraft was not destroyed, and no injuries were reported.
Probable Cause
The pilot mistakenly selected the gear lever to UP while taxiing after landing.