Incident Overview
A tailwheel-equipped airplane experienced a landing gear failure while attempting a wheel landing. According to the pilot, the touchdown was normal, after which the airplane lurched to the left. The right main landing gear wheel then departed the airplane. The right main landing gear strut folded under the fuselage, causing the right wing tip to contact the runway surface. The airplane subsequently came to rest on its right side.
Pilot's Assessment
The pilot reported that an "abrupt left brake grab" likely placed a side load on the right gear, which resulted in the failure of the right main landing gear wheel.
FAA Inspector's Findings
An FAA maintenance inspector examined the aircraft and noted that the forward, upper bolt connecting the axle to the backing plate had sheared off. The other three bolts had twisted off, separating the wheel from the airplane. The inspector believed that the twisting off of the three bolts occurred after the initial bolt had failed. He stated that it was possible that the bolts installed were the original bolts with which the airplane was outfitted in 1957. The inspector concluded that there was a significant possibility that the sheared bolt had failed due to its age and extended use.