Accident Overview
While landing on a grass runway, the pilot touched down approximately 25 feet before the runway threshold on rising terrain. Moments later, the right landing gear failed and separated from the airframe. The airplane rotated clockwise as it departed the right side of the runway and dropped over a large embankment. The aircraft continued along the bottom of the embankment, turning approximately 270 degrees before coming to rest in an upright position. A post-crash fire ensued.
Landing Gear Examination
Following the accident, the pilot reported that the right main landing gear collapsed on landing. An examination revealed that the right landing gear's upper structural truss member, originally manufactured straight, was deformed into a bow shape consistent with a hard landing. The right landing gear actuator rod was also found deformed. Selected pieces were submitted to the NTSB materials laboratory for analysis. All submitted fracture features exhibited slant planes, and the pieces were deformed adjacent to the fractures, consistent with overstress fracture.
Airframe and Engine Inspection
Examination of the airframe and engines found no evidence of pre-impact mechanical failure or malfunction.