Accidents
Final Report: Citation gear retractions remain a mystery
Cessna Citation 560XL, White Plains, N.Y., April 15, 2008–The Board was unable to determine the cause of the uncommanded landing gear retraction tha

Cessna Citation 560XL, White Plains, N.Y., April 15, 2008–The Board was unable to determine the cause of the uncommanded landing gear retraction that occurred just after the NetJets-operated Citation Excel touched down at Westchester County Airport. Extensive testing of the airplane’s hydraulic and electrical systems supervised by the NTSB and the FAA failed to reveal any malfunctions that would have caused the gear retraction. Review of the aircraft’s data acquisition system indicated the gear was in the down-and-locked position from approximately five minutes before touchdown until about three seconds after. Post-accident examination of the cockpit showed the landing gear handle in the down position. The Excel sustained damage to its left wing, and a communications antenna was pushed through the pressure vessel. There were no injuries in the incident.