Accident Overview
A commercial certificated pilot was landing on a remote gravel area measuring approximately 1,000 feet long and 30 feet wide. During the landing roll, the airplane's right main landing gear suddenly collapsed. As the airplane slid on the gravel, the right gear strut was torn out of the fuselage, resulting in additional damage to the fuselage and right wing.
Post-Accident Examination
After the accident, the pilot examined the right gear strut and discovered that the right axle and wheel assembly were missing from the outboard end of the gear strut. A subsequent search located the wheel assembly, revealing that the nuts used to secure the attaching axle bolts to the gear strut were stripped from their respective bolts.
Pilot Actions and Outcome
The pilot decided to wait until the next day before activating the airplane's emergency locator transmitter. He further decided to destroy the airplane by setting it on fire, citing that it would have been economically unfeasible to pay for repairs and helicopter transportation charges to remove the airplane from its remote location. The airplane was observed by search personnel as having burned.