Incident Overview
During landing, a student pilot executed a hard touchdown on the airplane's left side. The impact caused the left main landing gear axle to fracture, subsequently allowing the left wingtip to contact the runway surface.
Examination Findings
Post-incident examination of the aircraft revealed that the left main landing gear axle had broken at the gear leg mounting flange. The fracture extended around the circumference of the axle, flush against the flange, with the exception of a 7/16-inch wide spot weld observed on one side of the axle where the fracture deviated outward. The left landing gear box was displaced inward and aft. No other anomalies were identified with the aircraft.
Maintenance History
The aircraft had undergone its annual inspection on March 9, 2000. Since that inspection, the airplane had accumulated 4 flight hours up to the time of the incident.
Manufacturer Guidance
According to the aircraft manufacturer, cracked landing gear axles should be replaced. The manufacturer provides no guidance or approval regarding performing welds on their landing gear axles. The presence of the spot weld on the fractured axle is noted, though its origin or approval is not addressed in the manufacturer's documentation.