I've known about the piano key Bo's for a long time, don't know why you didn't, especially when flying one. Were I flying I'd be completely paranoid of flipping the wrong switch. I'd be so paranoid that I'd not touch the thing unless I was staring right at it. To put this in context, I'm paranoid about gear up landings, enough so that the gear comes down 3 miles from the airport. That means I have to configure the airplane prior to that, and I get majorly paranoid if anything goes wrong with that sequence, as in I turn around if the gear isn't out at 3 miles.
I would add that if you need to get the flaps up after landing to get more weight on the mains you're coming in too fast. Yeah, I've used that trick too, but I certainly don't depend on it. My apologies, but despite the long read you made a very common mistake based on your lack of understanding of the aircraft you were flying.
I was surprised to learn that a gear collapse is so common.
I don’t think it was so much a lack of knowledge but the primacy of the 900 hours in the Cardinal and having been taught to take the flaps up after landing right from the beginning. Combined with a lack of sufficient paranoia about going back and forth between the planes, as you note.
I say this because I noticed afterwards that in the Cardinal, even after I decided not to bring flaps up, I would tend to automatically start reaching. Took a while to break the habit. So either need to have the right habits that work in all the planes you fly or be sufficiently paranoid.
I have learned there is considerable debate in the community on the wisdom of this teaching. Some people say it is fine and dandy. Others not a good idea. I am presently in the latter camp now. Particularly if you are moving back and forth amongst types.
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