[beeboop]

I researched this a bit and based on other sources the issue was accidentally putting the landing gear into the up position when meaning to put the flaps up. Presumably this would happen while coming to a stop on the runway? I have maybe noticed modern airliners do raise their flaps before fully completing braking? Not sure if I'm just making that up. I have barely any flight training but if I recall the main purpose of raising flaps quickly is to lessen the effects of wind from the environment and other aircraft from pushing you around. But the B17 is rather large. I don't know. All speculation.