What happened
The airplane experienced a critical failure during the landing phase when the right main landing gear collapsed upon touchdown. This structural failure resulted in the aircraft impacting the terrain.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the right landing gear assembly revealed significant mechanical damage. Specifically, the brace assembly on the right-hand side, identified by part number 5041000-46, was found to be fractured. Detailed analysis of the fracture surface indicated multiple initiation points located at the edge of a slot. Additionally, inspectors noted an oxidized area with a distinct terminus on the broken component.
Findings
The physical evidence observed on the fractured brace assembly is consistent with fatigue failure mechanisms. The presence of multiple initiations and the specific characteristics of the fracture surface point to progressive material degradation leading to the final structural break.