Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 2500; Flight Crew Type 50
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Aircraft; Human Factors
We performed the pre-flight inspection of the aircraft and found no discrepancies. I was functioning as the CFI for the pilot flying who was a certificated private pilot; instrument rated; and with a prior endorsement for complex and high-performance aircraft (ASEL) operation.After our engine run-up; we were cleared for take-off. The aircraft accelerated normally however shortly after we began our takeoff roll; the nose gear retracted and the propeller struck the runway. The fuel and electrical were immediately shut off and the Tower was notified. We immediately noted that the gear handle was in the up position. At no time did either pilot move the gear handle. The aircraft checklist was used for all phases of flight; however; the up-position of the gear handle was apparently missed. I believe that somehow the gear was placed in the up position prior to our flight and this was simply overlooked by both of us.Contributing factors included not following the initial checklist to the letter which called for confirming that the gear handle was in the down-position and the incorrect expectation that an aircraft which had been flown earlier in the day would not be expected to have the gear-handle in the up-position.
[No substantive additional information was provided in the secondary narrative.]
When the Instructor and Student pilots' aboard a C172RG failed to note the gear switch was in the up position prior to starting their takeoff roll they experienced the collapse of the nose gear and a sudden engine stoppage when the prop struck the runway.