What happened
During an attempt at a wheel landing, a tailwheel equipped airplane experienced a failure of the landing gear. Following a normal touchdown, the aircraft lurched to the left, causing the right main landing gear wheel to depart from the airplane. The right main landing gear strut subsequently folded under the fuselage, and the right wing tip made contact with the runway surface. The aircraft eventually came to rest on its right side.
The investigation
The FAA maintenance inspector examined the components and determined that the forward, upper bolt connecting the axle to the backing plate had sheered off. Additionally, the other three bolts had twisted off, which separated the wheel from the airplane; it was believed this separation occurred after the initial bolt failure. The inspection suggested that the installed bolts may have been the original bolts provided with the aircraft in 1957, and there was a significant possibility that the sheered bolt failed due to its age and extended use.
Findings
- The right main landing gear wheel departed the aircraft following an abrupt left brake grab that placed a side load on the right gear.
- The failure of the forward, upper bolt connecting the axle to the backing plate was a primary factor in the gear failure.