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.

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.