Cirrus Design Corp SF50 N701MK accident near Mesa, Arizona

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper landing gear selection during the takeoff roll and failure to maintain airplane control during a rejected takeoff, which resulted in abnormal contact with the runway and a collapse of the nose landing gear.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot, while conducting a takeoff, he heard an unrecognizable sound and aborted the takeoff roll. The pilot applied brakes and pulled the throttle simultaneously. The airplane subsequently lifted off the ground and returned to the runway surface on the nose, which resulted in a collapse of the nose landing gear. The airplane’s emergency procedures has a caution that states “the airplane might rotate and lift off the ground if thrust lever is abruptly brought to IDLE prior to brake application.”

A postaccident review of the airplane’s flight data from the Recoverable Data Module (RDM) revealed that the landing gear lever was in the UP position during the takeoff roll when one of the weight on wheel (WOW) sensors showed it airborne. A few seconds later, the WOW sensor reactivated and the airplane settled on the nose gear. The nose gear was in the transitory and unlocked position at that time and collapsed. Subsequently, when the airplane came to rest, the landing gear lever was placed in the DOWN position. Pitch angle and radar altimeter data from the RDM also showed that the airplane remained on the runway surface during the takeoff and abort.

The pilot reported no failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR25LA049 for the full record.