What happened
During the landing rollout of N975DA, a Piper aircraft, the left main landing gear experienced a structural collapse. The incident occurred as the aircraft was decelerating on the runway following touchdown.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the failure of the strut housing. The pilot, who also served as the mechanic, reported that the housing had developed a crack and subsequently failed just below the termination point of the trunion web.
Review of the aircraft logbooks revealed no record of compliance with Piper Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin 787A, which was dated August 15, 1985. This specific service bulletin requires an inspection of the landing gear housing area just below the trunion web for cracks every 100 flight hours, unless a newer version of the strut housing is installed where the web extends further along the housing.
Findings
The investigation determined that the required periodic inspections mandated by Service Bulletin 787A had not been performed on the aircraft.