Incident Overview
A pilot was landing at a remote airstrip with a dirt and grass surface. The wind conditions were gusty and variable in direction, demanding careful control inputs. The touchdown itself was uneventful and considered normal. As the pilot applied rudder and brake to maintain directional control during the landing roll, the right main landing gear leg separated from its mounting structure. This loss of support caused the right wing to drop and contact the terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the wing.
Mechanical Examination
Post-accident inspection of the gear leg attachment hardware revealed that the nut securing the gear leg attachment bolt had been stripped from the bolt. This stripping allowed the bolt to work its way out of the attachment structure, leading to the separation of the gear leg from its mounting point.
Pilot Account Variation
In an initial telephone conversation with the NTSB Investigator-In-Charge, the pilot stated that the right brake had failed during the landing roll. However, in a follow-up interview, the pilot changed his account, saying he believed the brake was functioning correctly until the moment the gear leg detached. No further information was provided regarding the discrepancy.