What happened
The aircraft was being operated by a commercially certificated pilot conducting a personal cross-country flight under visual flight rules (VFR) in accordance with Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. During the approach for an off-airport landing on a gravel airstrip, the left main landing gear collapsed upon contact with the ground.
Following the incident, the pilot inspected the aircraft and determined that the bolts securing the landing gear had sheared. This failure resulted in the left wing and stabilator striking the terrain, causing damage to both components. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies or irregularities with the airplane prior to the accident sequence.
The investigation
Due to the remote location of the accident site, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was unable to physically examine the aircraft. Consequently, the investigation relied primarily on the pilot's statements and the circumstances surrounding the event.