What happened
The pilot and owner of a tailwheel-equipped aircraft was conducting a landing operation on a turf runway. The airplane had been modified with oversized tires. During the rollout phase after touchdown, the left main landing gear assembly failed structurally. This collapse caused the left wing to make contact with the ground surface.
The investigation
Following the incident, an aviation mechanic performed a repair assessment on the damaged aircraft. Upon examination of the left main landing gear strut, the mechanic identified a fracture in the structural leg. He determined that the failure originated at what appeared to be a pre-existing crack in the metal component.
Findings
The pilot provided a statement via telephone interview to an NTSB investigator regarding the condition of the aircraft prior to the event. He reported having no knowledge of any mechanical issues or anomalies with the airplane before the accident occurred. The structural failure of the landing gear leg was the primary factor in the damage sustained.