Incident Description
During takeoff at Kodiak, Alaska, the wheel and lower shaft of the left strut assembly separated from the aircraft. The pilot reported that while retracting the landing gear, he felt a bump and received an unsafe gear indication light. He immediately extended the gear and flew by the control tower, where personnel informed him that the left gear appeared to be missing. The pilot then proceeded to Anchorage, where a foamed runway was available for landing. He was unable to retract the gear. Before landing, he shut down and secured the left engine. The left wing sustained minor damage during the landing.
Maintenance History
Earlier on the same day of the incident, the aircraft had experienced an unsafe gear indication. Maintenance personnel inspected, removed, cleaned, greased, and reinstalled all actuating rods, and adjusted the left gear uplock. The aircraft was subsequently released for a test flight, during which the incident occurred.
Examination Findings
An examination of the top main gear bearing revealed that two of four retaining pins, part number 01821-06, were missing, and the other two were sheared off. An examination of the right main gear retaining pins revealed that two had cracks in the neck region.