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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 17, 2005 · Piper PA-34-220T · N4162K

Scottsdale, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Scottsdale, AZ
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-220T
Tail Number
N4162K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX05CA177

During the takeoff roll portion of a touch-and-go, the pilot receiving instruction inadvertently operated the landing gear handle instead of the flap handle. As the airplane continued to roll, the left main and the nose gear retracted. The certified flight instructor stated that he "grabbed the handle immediately when he saw the student retract it," but evidently it was too late. During the post accident airplane examination, no mechanical failures or malfunctions were found with the landing gear system. The instructor reported that they experienced no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's inadvertent retraction of the landing gear, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.

Full Narrative

On May 17, 2005, about 1410 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-34-220T, N4162K, had an inadvertent gear retraction during the takeoff roll portion of a touch-and-go landing. The accident occurred at the Scottsdale Airport, in Scottsdale Arizona. Sabena Airline Training, Scottsdale, was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI), the private pilot undergoing instruction (PUI), and the private pilot rated passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the instructional flight that originated from Phoenix about 1315. The CFI stated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that during the landing portion of a planned touch-and-go, he instructed the PUI to retract the flaps. However, the PUI operated the landing gear handle instead of the flap handle. The CFI stated that he "grabbed the handle immediately when he saw the student retract it." As the airplane continued to roll, the left main gear and the nose gear retracted. The airplane came to rest between the taxiway and runway. The CFI reported that no mechanical failures or malfunctions were experienced during the flight. The airplane's landing gear warning horn and squat switch were functionally tested under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector. No anomalies were found.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:10 MST
Nearest AirportScottsdale Airport (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length8249 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-34-220T
Tail NumberN4162K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TS10-360RB · Reciprocating · 220 | Continental · LTSIO-360RB · Reciprocating
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 21 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind6 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C
Altimeter29.63 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data