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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 29, 2023 · Piper PA-39 NO Series · N289WW

Highgate, VT

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 29, 2023
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Highgate, VT
Aircraft
Piper PA-39 NO Series (1971)
Tail Number
N289WW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA24LA046

The pilot reported that during the landing rollout on a 3,001-ft-long, asphalt runway, he intended to retract the flaps, but instead he retracted the landing gear. The result was that all three of the landing gear assemblies retracted into their respective wheel wells during the landing roll. The lower fuselage stringers were substantially damaged. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The airplane was equipped with a squat switch on the left main landing gear that was designed to prevent the landing gear from inadvertently retracting; however, the switch required that sufficient weight be on the landing gear in order to work effectively. The pilot stated, and a video of the landing confirmed, that the airplane was still moving at relatively high speed when he selected the landing gear handle to the retracted position. The pilot reported that the squat switch was tested at the last annual inspection and that it operated normally during the inspection. Based on this information, it is likely that the airplane’s wings were still generating lift when the landing gear handle was selected to the retracted position and the gear struts was not compressed enough to activate the squat switch.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s inadvertent retraction of the landing gear during landing rollout, which resulted in a landing gear collapse.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing rollout on a 3,001-ft-long, asphalt runway, he intended to retract the flaps, but instead he retracted the landing gear. The result was that all three of the landing gear assemblies retracted into their respective wheel wells during the landing roll. The lower fuselage stringers were substantially damaged. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The airplane was equipped with a squat switch on the left main landing gear that was designed to prevent the landing gear from inadvertently retracting; however, the switch required that sufficient weight be on the landing gear in order to work effectively. The pilot stated, and a video of the landing confirmed, that the airplane was still moving at relatively high speed when he selected the landing gear handle to the retracted position. The pilot reported that the squat switch was tested at the last annual inspection and that it operated normally during the inspection. Based on this information, it is likely that the airplane’s wings were still generating lift when the landing gear handle was selected to the retracted position and the gear struts was not compressed enough to activate the squat switch.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:56 EDT
Nearest AirportFranklin County State (0nm W)
Runway01/1
Runway Length3001 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-39 NO Series
Tail NumberN289WW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320-B1A · Reciprocating · 160 | Lycoming · LIO-320-B1A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 64 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 3 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingOvercast 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point40 C / 31 C
Altimeter30.24 inHg
Observation Time11:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data