Beech V35 N35KA accident near Gulf Shores, Alabama

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to establish a positive rate of climb before retracting the landing gear, which resulted in abnormal runway contact during the takeoff roll.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during the takeoff he inadvertently retracted the landing gear prior to establishing a positive rate of climb. The pilot initially tried to continue the takeoff, and the airplane briefly became airborne before he then elected to reject the takeoff and land on the remaining runway. The airplane came to rest on its on the underside of the fuselage with the landing gear retracted, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA26LA117 for the full record.