What happened
On the day of the accident, the pilot was performing practice wheel landings in preparation for an upcoming check ride. The aircraft touched down normally on runway 05. However, shortly after landing, the airplane swerved to the left. The pilot attempted to regain control using a combination of rudder and power inputs but was unable to prevent the aircraft from exiting the runway and onto a paved surface adjacent to the runway. Shortly after leaving the runway, the aircraft snapped to the right.
At 1656 Shelton, the METAR reported winds from 260 degrees at 12 knots, visibility of 10 statute miles, and clear skies.
The investigation
A post-accident examination was conducted on the right main landing gear and the installed hydrasorb assembly. Investigators discovered that one of the ears on the lower fitting assembly, which is used to support the shock cord, had fractured and separated from the main strut assembly. Further inspection of the assembly revealed that the lower strut fitting had been welded to the strut assembly. The assembly in question consists of an upper strut fitting, a lower strut fitting, and the hydrasorb unit, where the lower strut fitting rests on the end of the hydrasorb and is secured via shock cord.