Synopsis
During the landing roll at approximately 45 knots, the airplane unexpectedly veered to the left. The flight instructor assumed control and applied right rudder, but the deviation continued, causing the aircraft to depart the runway. Subsequently, the left main landing gear collapsed, the left wing contacted the ground, and the airplane came to rest.
Details
The lower end of the left main landing gear strut housing, or cylinder, was found separated from the assembly. A representative from the manufacturer examined the component and reported that the fracture surface was symmetrical and showed no indications of corrosion or pre-existing damage.
Examination
Inspection of the cylinder interior revealed impact marks on the forward side, in the region where the top of the inner strut tube would typically be located when the strut is near its fully extended position. According to the manufacturer’s representative, this damage pattern was consistent with the landing gear having struck a solid object at a time when little or no weight was on the gear and the strut was near full extension. Additionally, the attachment bolts appeared to have sheared cleanly due to excessive shear force.
No further analysis or causal statements are included in the source.