Investigation number
198703506
Occurrence date
Location
Charters Towers QLD [*DR]
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Occurrence class
Accident
Highest injury level
None

The pilot had been conducting a six and a half hour low level survey flight. He stated that on joining the circuit, at the completion of the flight, he lowered the landing gear and obtained a gear down indication. The gear indication was again checked on final approach but during the subsequent landing roll, as the nosewheel was being lowered to the runway, the landing gear handle in the cockpit sprung to the up position. The landing gear retracted and the aircraft slide to a halt on its undersurface. An inspection of the aircraft could find no pre-impact defect with the landing gear or its systems which could have contributed to this inadvertent retraction. The landing gear was found to be capable of normal operation. The reason for the selector deselection remains undetermined.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Aero Commander
Model
500
Registration
VH-MEH
Serial number
3258
Operation type
Aerial Work
Departure point
Charters Towers QLD
Departure time
1145
Destination
Charters Tower QLD
Damage
Substantial