LAX06CA268

The pilot inadvertently retracted the landing gear during the landing rollout. The pilot intended to retract the flaps, but instead he moved the landing gear lever to the retracted position. After the aural alarm activated, the pilot reversed the gear handle to the down position; however, the nosewheel partially retracted and the firewall sustained damage. There were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the flight.

On July 29, 2006, at 1400 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 414A, N805PR, experienced an inadvertent gear retraction during the landing roll at Ontario International Airport, Ontario, California. The pilot was operating the privately registered airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed during the flight, and an instrument flight plan was filed and activated. The flight departed from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, Santa Barbara, California, at 1300.

In a written statement, the pilot said that after performing the instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 25R, the airplane rolled out on the runway. During the rollout, he reached down to retract the flaps and retracted the landing gear by mistake. The gear warning horn sounded, and the pilot reversed the gear handle; however, the nosewheel partially retracted and the firewall sustained damage. The pilot said that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the flight.

This accident was upgraded from an incident on August 24, 2006, during a damage assessment by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Riverside Flight Standards District Office.