What happened
On 14 March 2003, a Yak-18T, registration RA44545, was performing a private flight at Popham, Hampshire. Following a routine landing on the grass runway 08, the pilot taxied the aircraft toward the end of the runway. While maneuvering toward a runway exit at a speed of approximately 5 knots, the pilot inadvertently moved the gear lever to the UP position.
This action triggered the retraction of the landing gear while the aircraft was still in motion. The resulting movement caused significant damage to several components, including the propeller, the lower engine cowling, the exhaust, the flaps, and the aircraft's steps. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured and was able to exit the cockpit without assistance.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the lever movement and the pilot's post-landing procedures. The pilot, holding a private pilot's licence with 1,329 total flying hours, indicated that his standard operating procedure after landing involves bringing the aircraft to a complete stop. Once stationary, he typically raises the flaps and verifies that a specific bolt on the gear selector lever is in the locking position. This bolt is intended to serve as a safeguard to prevent the gear lever from being accidentally moved to the UP position.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the accidental selection of the gear lever to the UP position during taxiing.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, engine cowling, exhaust, flaps, and steps.
- There were no injuries to the pilot.