What happened
The flight was conducted to transport three student parachute jumpers. After the passengers exited the aircraft, the pilot and jumpmaster returned to the airport for the landing phase. During the approach and touchdown, the aircraft struck a ridge located on the grass runway surface, causing it to bounce back into the air.
Upon recontact with the ground, the airplane touched down in a crabbed attitude. It slid sideways across the runway surface, resulting in the collapse of the left main landing gear. The pilot reported that wind conditions were from the northeast at 5 knots, with gusts reaching 10 knots.
The investigation
The primary mechanical failure observed was the left main gear collapse. This structural failure occurred directly after the aircraft slid sideways following a bounced landing on uneven terrain.