Event Description
According to the pilot, a normal wheel landing was made. When the airplane touched down, the right main landing gear broke off and struck the leading edge and bottom surface of the right wing. The airplane subsequently slid off the right side of the runway and ground looped.
Metallurgical Examination
A metallurgical examination of the fractured strut disclosed fatigue from multiple sites on the bottom surface in the bend radius outboard of its attachment to the fuselage. No obvious mechanical damage or corrosion damage was found. The left main landing gear also exhibited cracks in the same area and on the inboard side of the clamp.
Maintenance History
The landing gear was replaced on January 14, 1984, at a total service time of 1,390 hours. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accrued 3,624 hours, a difference of 2,234 hours since the replacement.