Design-Induced Landing Gear Retraction Accidents in Beech Baron, Bonanza, and Other Light Aircraft

A detailed review was made of all inadvertent landing gear retraction accidents occurring from 1975 to 1978. The data indicated that Beech Bonanza and Baron-type aircraft, while comprising only one-quarter of the single-engine and light twin-engine fleets, were involved in the majority of these accidents. Pilot comments and a human engineering evaluation of contemporary light aircraft cockpits revealed that these two Beach aircraft had four design features which would tend to increase the probability of inadvertent retraction accidents. Inexpensive methods of correcting these problems are recommended.