Undercarriage retraction while on ground?

[jolihokistix]

How could this happen? No further details as yet, but this is the article:


https://japantoday.com/category/national/Mechanic-dies-after-being-crushed-by-plane-wing-at-Kagoshima-airport

[jolihokistix]

Quote:
"KAGOSHIMA
A mechanic died Friday after he was crushed under a wing of an airplane being pulled into a hangar at Kagoshima Airport in southwestern Japan, a local airline and fire department said. Japan Air Commuter Co., a subsidiary of Japan Airlines Co, said the man was Koki Kihara, a 31-year-old employee. He was among some 10 people taking part in work to pull a Japan Coast Guard plane into a hanger for a checkup when the aircraft leaned to the left shortly before 1 p.m., and he became trapped between its left wing and the ground.
The mechanic was unconscious when transported to a hospital by helicopter, and he was later pronounced dead.
Police believe that the Saab 340 aircraft tilted when something triggered its left wing wheel to be stored into the plane body, and are further investigating the accident.
The aircraft, 20 meters in length and 22 meters in width, was undergoing an annual checkup, according to the local Japan Coast Guard unit, which has outsourced its maintenance to Japan Air Commuter.
The propeller aircraft is used for patrolling Japanese territorial waters and conducting maritime search-and-rescue operations.
© KYODO "

[kristofera]

Decades ago, I heard a story about two SAAB test pilots who had different opinions on whether the gear could be retracted on the ground or not. One of them decided to prove that it couldn't be done. Aircraft was a writeoff.

Update: and apparently someone did the same thing in Switzerland too: https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19900221-0

[westhawk]

Not saying this is necessarily what happened, but the AMM offers the following:

Before towing check that
the nose and main landing gear pins are installed.

It may not be impossible to have a gear collapse with ground safety pins installed, but it's probably allot less likely.

[AmarokGTI]

As above - it can happen on the Saab by selecting the gear up and overriding the Downlock release. It is a very deliberate action though. You have to push the downlock release whilst selecting the gear up.

[jolihokistix]

Many thanks. Somewhat clearer picture in my head now!