Accident Overview
During the takeoff roll, after the tail wheel lifted off the ground but before the aircraft attained flying speed, the right main landing gear collapsed. As a result, the right wheel assembly rotated approximately 90 degrees, causing the aircraft to veer off the side of the runway. The aircraft traveled about 100 yards through a plowed field. Just before coming to rest, the aircraft rolled inverted, and a post-impact fire consumed the engine compartment and the hopper area.
Examination of Landing Gear
Examination of the right main landing gear assembly revealed that the torque link assembly attaching bolt had failed. The external surface of the bolt exhibited corrosion, and the fracture surface showed evidence of a classic overload failure. No evidence of lubrication residues was found on the bolt or the adjacent torque link assembly.
Maintenance Records
According to the aircraft's maintenance manual, the main landing gear torque link assembly attaching bolt should be lubricated every 50 hours. However, review of the aircraft's maintenance records did not show any entries documenting the lubrication of the aforementioned items.