Narrative:

The pilot/aircraft owner and flight instructor taxied to runway for departure after having completed all run-up safety checks. Once the beech sierra was positioned on the centerline in clear and calm conditions; the pilot applies takeoff power. Once reaching takeoff rotation speed; pilot pulls back for lift off when suddenly the aircraft nose suddenly drops. The drop of the nose caused the prop to strike the runway. At that very moment; the instructor (writer here) takes control and pulls up on the yoke and completes the takeoff. Once flying and at about 500-600 feet AGL; the instructor notices the significant loss in trust by the three-blade prop. At this time; the instructor looks at the landing gear handle and sees it is in the up position (no green lights). The instructor then begins bank to the left for an emergency landing for [the runway]. At this time; the instructor puts the landing gear down and three green lights come on. The aircraft lands without incident and is able to taxi off the runway. Once clearing the runway; the aircraft is shut down and a tug is requested by the instructor. What is clear in the mind of the instructor is the gear handle was down and verified during the runup with all three green lights. What is not clear is what happened shortly after takeoff power is applied by the pilot as he makes the confession that he did not touch the landing gear handle. In this model beech sierra; the landing gear handle does not have a safety whereas you have to pull the handle out first then lift up to retract. Potentially; the handle could have been down far enough to have 'three green' at runup however due to the motion of the takeoff; slipped up to a retract position.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Beechcraft C-24 Instructor reported a prop strike at takeoff rotation.

Narrative: The pilot/aircraft owner and flight instructor taxied to runway for departure after having completed all run-up safety checks. Once the Beech Sierra was positioned on the centerline in clear and calm conditions; the pilot applies takeoff power. Once reaching takeoff rotation speed; pilot pulls back for lift off when suddenly the aircraft nose suddenly drops. The drop of the nose caused the prop to strike the runway. At that very moment; the Instructor (writer here) takes control and pulls up on the yoke and completes the takeoff. Once flying and at about 500-600 feet AGL; the Instructor notices the significant loss in trust by the three-blade prop. At this time; the Instructor looks at the landing gear handle and sees it is in the UP position (no green lights). The Instructor then begins bank to the left for an emergency landing for [the runway]. At this time; the Instructor puts the landing gear down and three green lights come on. The aircraft lands without incident and is able to taxi off the runway. Once clearing the runway; the aircraft is shut down and a tug is requested by the Instructor. What is clear in the mind of the instructor is the gear handle was down and verified during the runup with all three green lights. What is not clear is what happened shortly after takeoff power is applied by the pilot as he makes the confession that he did not touch the landing gear handle. In this model Beech Sierra; the landing gear handle does not have a safety whereas you have to pull the handle out first then lift up to retract. Potentially; the handle could have been down far enough to have 'three green' at runup however due to the motion of the takeoff; slipped up to a retract position.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.