What happened
The pilot landed on runway 26R with all three green landing gear down indicator lights illuminated. According to the pilot, the aircraft initially rolled normally along the centerline for approximately 200 feet. Following this distance, the left landing gear collapsed, causing the airplane to veer off the runway and strike taxiway lights.
The investigation
Post-accident investigation of the aircraft revealed that the attachment location for the downlock bellcrank on the left main landing gear had separated, and the attachment bolt had been sheared. Investigators also identified a significant difference in the downlock tension adjustment between the left and right landing gear components.
Proper system rigging of the landing gear requires simultaneous adjustments to the fork bolt and the push-pull tube, which must be made in equal amounts in opposite directions. While the failed components were tested for hardness and chemical composition and found to meet all material specifications, metallurgical examination determined that all fractures and bends were the direct result of an overload event.
Maintenance records indicated that a re-rigging of the landing gear system had been performed 10 days and 11 flight hours prior to the accident.