What happened
While the aircraft was being taxied to its parking position, the left main landing gear suddenly collapsed. The incident occurred during ground operations, with no flight phase involved at the time of failure.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the wreckage revealed that the left-hand gear support structure had torn away from the wing rib to which it was secured by bolts. This structural failure allowed the gear assembly to detach and collapse under the weight of the aircraft.
Findings
The operator submitted an FAA malfunction or defect report regarding the incident. Company officials reviewed the damage and noted that it appeared a heavy side load had been placed on the landing gear at some unknown time prior to the accident. The pilot stated that the landing preceding this event was normal, suggesting the damage may have accumulated over time or occurred during a previous ground maneuver not immediately obvious to the crew.
Safety message
This incident highlights the importance of inspecting landing gear components for signs of structural fatigue or damage from side loads, even when flight operations appear normal.