January 27, 2012, Ocala, Fla., Cessna 340A

At about 1227 Eastern time, the airplane was substantially damaged following a collision with terrain. The private pilot was fatally injured and one passenger received serious injuries. Visual conditions prevailed. The main wreckage was located about 0.65 nm from the runway. The cockpit and cabin were extensively burned from a post-impact fire. The landing gear handle was found in the retracted position. The position of the landing gear actuator linkage indicated an “in transit” position and was in close proximity to the up/retracted position.

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

An airplane sustained substantial damage in a collision with terrain, resulting in the pilot's fatal injury and serious injury to one passenger.
The main wreckage was found 0.65 nm from the runway and showed extensive post-impact fire damage to the cockpit and cabin.
Investigation of controls indicated the landing gear handle was retracted with the actuator linkage "in transit" near the retracted position, flaps were 15 degrees extended, and engine controls were full-forward.

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The main wreckage was located about 0.65 nm from the runway. The cockpit and cabin were extensively burned from a post-impact fire. The landing gear handle was found in the retracted position. The position of the landing gear actuator linkage indicated an “in transit” position and was in close proximity to the up/retracted position. The wing flaps were found about 15 degrees extended. All engine controls were found near the full-forward positions.