Accident Details
At 1345 UTC on 3 October 1999, a privately operated YAK 52 aircraft (registration LY-AKF) conducted a landing at Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon. The flight, carrying only the pilot, was uneventful. After the aircraft was on the runway, the pilot intended to raise the flaps but inadvertently operated the landing gear lever instead. The landing gear retracted, causing the aircraft to sink to the ground, left wing first. Before the pilot could stop the engine, the propeller struck the runway surface.
Aircraft and Component Information
The YAK 52 is equipped with one Ivchenko Vedeneyev M-14P piston engine and was manufactured in 1987. The accident resulted in shock-load damage to the engine, propeller, flaps, nosewheel, and tail skid. The pilot, aged 47, held a Commercial Pilot's Licence with Instrument and Instructor Ratings and had accumulated 1,503 total flying hours, including 39 hours on the YAK 52. His recent flying experience included 31 hours in the last 90 days and 17 hours in the last 28 days.
Lever Design and Previous Incidents
The YAK 52 features similarly shaped and mechanised levers for flap and landing gear operation. Both are operated by the left hand: the landing gear lever is mounted on the instrument panel in front of the throttle and moves vertically, while the flap lever is located behind the throttle and moves fore and aft. The bulletin notes that there have been several previous occurrences of inadvertent lever operation leading to landing with the gear retracted. The UK importers of the type have attempted several modifications to address these design issues, but few solutions are suitable for every situation, and their efforts continue.
Investigation Findings
The investigation relied on the Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot and telephone enquiries. No injuries were reported among the sole crew member. The probable cause of the accident was not explicitly stated in the source; however, the sequence of events indicates that the pilot's incorrect lever selection led to the inadvertent gear retraction.