What happened
During the initial rollout phase of takeoff, the aircraft deviated from the assigned runway heading while operating in gusty wind conditions. Following this divergence, the left main landing gear collapsed. The pilot had previously reported that the affected fittings were installed by an FAA repair station during repairs conducted approximately 300 flight hours prior to this incident.
The investigation
An inspection conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examined the structural integrity of the landing gear assembly. The inspection revealed that the welds connecting the landing gear longeron fittings did not possess proper penetration, indicating a deficiency in the repair work performed on the aircraft.
Findings
The collapse of the left main landing gear was directly associated with the improper welds found during the FAA inspection. The structural failure originated from the lack of proper penetration in the welds to the landing gear longeron fittings, which had been installed by an FAA repair station following a previous accident repair.
Safety message
This incident highlights the critical importance of ensuring that all structural repairs, particularly those involving welding on critical flight components like landing gear, meet strict quality and penetration standards to prevent in-flight or ground failures.