Debonairs also had a switch on the right main, but if I remember correctly, sitting on the ground, the switch was open instead of closed. It had the same result. Jim Hillibrand could confirm or refute that.
The Bonanza has 2 squat switches, one on each main gear. While on the ground and the strut is compressed, the micro or squat switch is in the open position which does not allow electricity to complete it's journey to pull the gear up. When you take off the strut extends (just like the nose gear on our 150/152's) and the switch closes completing the circut.
Every pre-flight requires a look at both switches to determine they're in the correct and open position.
Nothing is fool proof. Even knowing that the two switches are open and there should be no way for the gear to in-advertently operate, before the master switch is ever turned on, you verify that the landing gear handle is in the down position - just follow the check list.
This guy needs to buy the airplane, the value just dropped because it now has damage history.
I wonder what the insurance company will do if the pilot doesn't have the high performance endorsement? He really needs to buy the plane if the insurance company denies the coverage.
Jim
