SOMERVILLE, VA, USA
N81CA
BEECH D50C
THE NOSE GEAR PREMATURELY RETRACTED AND THE PROPS CONTACTED THE GRAVEL RUNWAY DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF AND THE ACFT SETTLED INTO TREES OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION FAILED TO REVEAL THE CAUSE OF THE GEAR RETRACTION. TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR AND HAD TO MANUALLY HAND PUMP THE GEAR DOWN. ON THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT INSPECTED AND LUBRICATED THE LANDING GEAR SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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