Incident Overview
An aircraft made an intermediate stop at another airport to pick up a passenger before continuing to the accident airport. No discrepancies were noted during the landing at the intermediate stop. Upon touchdown at the accident airport, both the pilot and passenger heard a snap sound. Immediately afterward, the left main landing gear turned under the fuselage and departed the aircraft. Both the pilot and passenger reported that the landing was normal.
Landing Gear Examination
A post-incident examination of the landing gear revealed that the failed landing gear attach bolt was distorted. The threads on both the bolt and its associated nut had stripped. Additionally, the landing gear attachment hole was elongated.
Runway Inspection
Examination of the dirt runway surface found no ruts, potholes, or other defects. No unusual tracks or markings were observed on the surface until just before the point where the airplane came to rest.