CHI06LA089

The airplane received substantial damage during an after landing taxi when the pilot retracted the landing gear instead of the flaps. The airplane was not equipped with an optional landing gear safety system.

On February 25, 2006, at 1330 central standard time, a Beech 95-55, N562T, owned and piloted by a private pilot, received substantial damage on impact with the runway when the pilot inadvertently raised the landing gear during an after landing taxi at Sikeston Memorial Municipal Airport (SIK), Sikeston, Missouri. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and two passengers were uninjured. The flight departed from Manila Municipal Airport, Manila, Arkansas, at 1255.

The pilot stated that during an after landing taxi, he attempted to raise the flaps prior to making a turn onto a taxiway so as to keep as much weight on the wheels as possible in the gusty winds, which were about 20-26 knots. He stated that he inadvertently reached over and lifted the gear handle instead of the flaps as he intended. The pilot stated that he taxied the airplane about 20 mph with the flaps fully extended.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane was not equipped with an optional landing gear safety system. No mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation were noted.