What happened
The aircraft collided with the ground and a dirt bank located short of the runway during the landing phase, resulting in the collapse of the landing gear system. According to the pilot's statement, the incident occurred while attempting to land on a dirt runway. The pilot expressed concern regarding a lake situated at the departure end of the strip.
The pilot reported maintaining an airspeed of 70 knots on short final approach with full flaps deployed and engine RPM set. The main landing gear initially touched down on a dirt road that crossed in front of the approach end of the runway. Following this touchdown, the aircraft bounced back into the air toward the runway threshold.
As the aircraft descended again, the left main gear struck a dirt ridge at the threshold, causing the strut to shear off. During the subsequent contact with the runway surface, the nose gear and right main gear retracted into their respective wheel wells. The aircraft eventually came to rest 120 feet down the runway, with its nose oriented approximately 20 degrees to the right of the centerline.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical failure of the landing gear components following the impact with the terrain. Examination confirmed that the left main gear sheared off upon striking a dirt ridge at the threshold. Subsequent analysis revealed that the nose gear and right main gear had retracted into their wheel wells during the final phase of the landing sequence.
Findings
Contributing factors included the pilot's concern over obstacles at the departure end, which may have influenced the approach path. The aircraft bounced after initial touchdown on a crossing dirt road, leading to asymmetric gear contact with terrain features. The left main gear sheared off due to impact with a dirt ridge at the threshold. The nose and right main gears retracted into their wheel wells during the final landing phase.
Safety message
Pilots should exercise caution when approaching runways with nearby obstacles such as lakes or water bodies, ensuring that approach paths are clear and stable. Proper energy management is critical to prevent bouncing and subsequent gear damage during landing operations on unpaved surfaces.