Narrative:

It was a flight examination for a student trying to get her commercial pilot's license. I was the check instructor evaluating the student's performance. We then decided to go to ZZZ for the landing portion of the examination. The student first received an airport advisory from unicom. The winds were light out of the southeast; so we planned to land runway xx. The first landing was to be a short field approach and landing; touch-and-go. The student's approach was good; but the landing was beyond the specified point. The student then preceded to complete the touch-and-go. She added full power and then carburetor heat. I saw that she did not bring the flaps up after the landing. I pointed at the flap handle and said; 'the flaps need to come up.' the student then quickly grabbed the gear handle and retracted the gear. As soon as the handle was in the up position; the nosewheel dropped. This was instantaneous. After we dropped forward; the aircraft slowly leaned to the left. The left main retracted; which made us drop to the left. The right main stayed down. I announced; 'I have the flight controls.' the student let go of the controls; and I controlled the aircraft to a stop. I had some control in the aircraft to keep the aircraft straight on the centerline. I pulled the mixture control while we were still sliding. The aircraft slowed down and began to skid to the left of centerline. Once we stopped; I turned off the magnetos; and turned off the master switch. I then announced that we needed to get out. We both exited the passenger side of the aircraft uninjured. What I believe caused the problem is the student's confusion between the flap handle and the gear handle. She said later that she meant to retract the flaps and did not know why she went for the gear handle. There needs to be more training with the student on both short field landing procedures; and touch-and-go procedures. In addition; since it was a student's check ride; she was nervous. This could have contributed to her confusion and acting without following proper touch-and-go procedures.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Pilot taking a Commercial flight test retracted and collapsed the landing gear on a touch-and-go roll rather than retracting the flaps.

Narrative: It was a flight examination for a student trying to get her Commercial Pilot's License. I was the Check Instructor evaluating the student's performance. We then decided to go to ZZZ for the landing portion of the examination. The student first received an airport advisory from UNICOM. The winds were light out of the southeast; so we planned to land Runway XX. The first landing was to be a short field approach and landing; touch-and-go. The student's approach was good; but the landing was beyond the specified point. The student then preceded to complete the touch-and-go. She added full power and then carburetor heat. I saw that she did not bring the flaps up after the landing. I pointed at the flap handle and said; 'The flaps need to come up.' The student then quickly grabbed the gear handle and retracted the gear. As soon as the handle was in the up position; the nosewheel dropped. This was instantaneous. After we dropped forward; the aircraft slowly leaned to the left. The left main retracted; which made us drop to the left. The right main stayed down. I announced; 'I have the flight controls.' The student let go of the controls; and I controlled the aircraft to a stop. I had some control in the aircraft to keep the aircraft straight on the centerline. I pulled the mixture control while we were still sliding. The aircraft slowed down and began to skid to the left of centerline. Once we stopped; I turned off the magnetos; and turned off the master switch. I then announced that we needed to get out. We both exited the passenger side of the aircraft uninjured. What I believe caused the problem is the student's confusion between the flap handle and the gear handle. She said later that she meant to retract the flaps and did not know why she went for the gear handle. There needs to be more training with the student on both short field landing procedures; and touch-and-go procedures. In addition; since it was a student's check ride; she was nervous. This could have contributed to her confusion and acting without following proper touch-and-go procedures.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.