When Autair got the Vikings from Germany ( D-BONE ?? and D-BORA ??) they decide to cut costs - By crew training at Panshanger.!
All went well until on a T&G they retracted the gear but the aircraft sank and the props clipped the ground. As the prop tips bent back and the aircraft “ settled” they selected the gear back down. Grass airfield so no one hurt ( only pride!) When we go there the aircraft was sitting on its belly and props bent. We thought OK pump the gear down and drag it clear. Jacked it up and pumped the gear down but it would not extend ???. Pulled the nacelle panels off and behold – The gear actuators had fully extended but the gear was already being pushed up into the nacelle. The gear rams had fully extended but the gear was fully retracted so the shiny portion of the rams were like a trombone !!