Circumstances
A pilot on a daylight Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight reported becoming lost while en route. Due to the aircraft's low altitude, the pilot was unable to receive any navigational radio aids or establish radio communications. As darkness approached and fuel quantity became low, the pilot decided to perform a precautionary landing on a dirt strip.
Landing and Damage
The dirt strip was characterized by soft sand shoulders. During the landing, the left main landing gear touched down approximately three feet to the left of the packed dirt surface, entering the soft sand. The gear subsequently separated from the aircraft structure as a result of the contact with the soft sand.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that there were no aircraft failures or malfunctions prior to or during the event. The landing was executed voluntarily under the circumstances of low fuel and diminishing daylight.