This May 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Beech C35. Injuries: None. Location: Englewood, Colo. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: During the takeoff roll the airplane’s main landing gear partially retracted and the nose landing gear collapsed. The left wing hit the ground and the plane skidded to a stop, coming to rest in an upright position on the runway.
Following the accident, an examination of the landing gear revealed that the mechanic had wired the landing gear squat switch incorrectly, resulting in a retraction of the landing gear once the landing strut was extended.
Probable cause: The collapse of the landing gear due to the mechanic’s failure to properly wire the landing gear squat switch.
For more information: NTSB.Gov
