On October 17, 1983, a Bellanca 7GCBC (registration N9109L) was involved in an aviation accident near Capitan, NM. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the U-bolt attaching the left main gear strut to the fuselage due to tensile overload, with preexisting cracks in the radius of the U-bolt and evidence that the U-bolt had been loose for a period of time prior to the accident. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported a bounce on landing, causing main gear collapse and damage. Investigation found a U-bolt failed due to tensile overload, with preexisting cracks and evidence of prior looseness.
Incident Details
The pilot reported that the aircraft bounced during landing, resulting in the collapse of the main landing gear. The propeller and left wing sustained damage.
Examination Findings
An examination revealed that the U-bolt attaching the left main gear strut to the fuselage had failed. The failure was determined to be the result of tensile overload. Several preexisting cracks were found in the radius of the U-bolt.
Evidence of Prior Condition
There was evidence that the failure occurred at one of the cracks. Additionally, the U-bolt had been loose for a period of time prior to the accident.
Probable cause
Failure of the U-bolt attaching the left main gear strut to the fuselage due to tensile overload, with preexisting cracks in the radius of the U-bolt and evidence that the U-bolt had been loose for a period of time prior to the accident.