Accident Overview
The accident occurred when the left main landing gear collapsed during the takeoff roll, following a touch-and-go landing. As a result, the aircraft veered off the runway and came to rest in a snowbank.
Examination Findings
Post-crash examination of the aircraft revealed that the left main landing gear truss bracket assembly had pulled loose from the aircraft structure. Two of the lower mounting bolts were missing, and the corresponding bolt holes in both the bracket and the aircraft structure showed no evidence of damage.
Maintenance Records
Review of the aircraft maintenance records disclosed no entries indicating any work performed on the truss bracket assembly.
Pilot Report
The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that she and her student had felt a bump emanating from the left landing gear while landing at another airport earlier that evening. She examined the gear prior to departing that airport but found nothing unusual, except that the aircraft seemed lower on the left side.