Beech C24R N792Y accident near Eastover, North Carolina

Probable cause

The uncommanded retraction of the nose gear for undetermined reasons and the pilot's improper decision to continue the takeoff after the propeller began to contact the ground.

NTSB analysis

During the takeoff roll, the airplane's nose gear began to retract and the propeller contacted the runway about halfway down its length. Instead of immediately reducing power to abort the takeoff, the pilot pulled back on the control yoke and the airplane became airborne. He initially continued the takeoff, and then attempted to land on a road located near the runway; however, the airplane struck trees and impacted the ground, before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and its fuselage. Post accident examination of the wreckage, which included the landing gear retraction system, did not reveal any anomalies which would have accounted for the nose landing gear retraction.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10LA423 for the full record.