Accident Overview
On March 15, 2010, at 1340 eastern daylight time, a Cessna T337G, registration N74E, sustained substantial damage when the right main landing gear collapsed during landing on runway 23 at Shelby-Cleveland County Regional Airport (EHO), Shelby, North Carolina. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which originated from EHO about 1310 the same day.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The airplane was registered to Delta Whiskey Bravo, Inc, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot reported that everything was normal on the approach except for a strong crosswind. After touchdown, the airplane became uncontrollable and veered off the runway into the grass.
Examination Findings
An examination by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to the right main gear, right and left wings, and the rear engine propeller. Three pieces of the right main landing gear lower end were sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington, DC, for further examination. The upper fracture was completely obliterated by abrasion consistent with hard surface runway contact. The lower fracture was partially obscured by asphalt-like material and mechanical damage. A smaller chip-like piece was relatively undamaged.
The lower fracture was examined with a scanning electron microscope and exhibited a mixed fracture topography of dimple rupture and cleavage, consistent with overstress separation.
Weather Conditions
A review of recorded weather data from the EHO automated weather observation station (elevation 845 feet) at 1340 indicated winds from 340 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 18 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 15 degrees Celsius, dew point 4 degrees Celsius, and altimeter 29.79 inches of mercury.