Accident Details
A private certificated pilot was landing a wheel-equipped airplane on a gravel-covered private airstrip during a personal flight conducted under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that he was landing to the east, which required a correction for a slight right crosswind. As the airplane touched down, it bounced slightly and then settled onto the right main tire and subsequently the left main tire. The pilot stated that as soon as the left main tire made contact with the ground, the airplane veered sharply to the left. This caused the left wing to strike an area of low brush and trees, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing.
Postaccident Inspection
A postaccident inspection disclosed that the lower portion of the left main landing gear strut had fractured. The left main tire, wheel, and axle were missing, and a search for the missing wheel assembly was unsuccessful. The upper portion of the left main landing gear strut remained attached to the airplane. The fracture origin site was located on the aluminum alloy adapter, part number 7838-002. However, the fracture origin site was obliterated after contacting the ground, which precluded any further metallurgical examination.