Probable cause
The co-pilot’s premature retraction of the landing gear during takeoff, which resulted in a gear collapse and impact with the runway surface.
NTSB analysis
During the takeoff roll, at an airspeed of about 60 knots, the pilot rotated the nose of the airplane to the standard angle for takeoff. The co-pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, he thought that the pilot had called for the landing gear to be retracted, so he reached down and moved the landing gear handle. Shortly thereafter the landing gear began to collapse and both propellers and the fuselage impacted the runway surface. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident and the co-pilot said that he prematurely raised the gear handle.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11LA254 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 26, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Encinal, Texas
- Nearest airport
- El Jardin Ranch Airport (XA66)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
North American B25
- N-number
- N747AF
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.