Beech 58 N6037M accident near Raleigh, North Carolina

Probable cause

Damage to the landing gear selector switch wire bundle which resulted in an inadvertent retraction of the landing gear during the takeoff roll.

NTSB analysis

During the takeoff roll, the pilot accelerated the airplane to rotation speed. Upon starting to rotate the airplane, the nose landing gear began a retraction sequence, collapsing under the airplane, and the pilot reduced the throttles to idle and applied the brakes. The main landing gear also retracted, and the airplane slid to a stop on the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the lower fuselage. Both the pilot and the pilot rated passenger verified that the landing gear handle was in the down position prior to and after the accident sequence.

Postaccident examination of the aircraft revealed damage to several wires leading to the landing gear selector switch on the instrument panel. The wires were found to be actively arcing when moved or touched.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA24LA376 for the full record.