Incident Overview
The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane completed a landing on a hard surface runway. The airplane was fitted with 29-inch tundra tires. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear wheel began to vibrate. Shortly thereafter, the left wheel axle fractured, causing the left wheel to separate from the landing gear strut.
Sequence of Events
Following the axle failure, the left wing tip contacted the ground. The airplane sustained damage to the left wing, left aileron, and left elevator. The pilot reported that the axle attaching bolts, which secure the axle to the strut, had stripped threads.
Damage Assessment
Inspection revealed damage to the left wing structure, the left aileron, and the left elevator. No other components were reported as damaged in the source.
Pilot Statement
The pilot attributed the axle failure to the stripped threads on the axle attaching bolts. No further details regarding maintenance history or preflight inspections were provided in the source.