Incident Details
A solo student pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings in an airplane that had previously been equipped with fixed skis. The pilot removed the skis and replaced them with large tundra tires. During the flight, the pilot landed at an intermediate airport and attempted to turn the airplane to the left in preparation for departure. The airplane was difficult to turn, so the pilot exited the aircraft and physically moved the tail to position the airplane for takeoff.
After liftoff, the pilot noticed the left wheel and tire fall off the axle. Despite this, the pilot continued to the destination and landed on a gravel runway at a private airstrip. Following touchdown, the right main landing gear collapsed, folding under the wheel.
Inspection Findings
An inspection of the airplane revealed that the left wheel axle retaining nut was missing. The aircraft sustained damage to the main landing gear, the right wing spar, and the right wing lift struts.