Accident Overview
On May 19, 2013, at approximately 1130 Alaska daylight time, a Maule M-6-235 airplane (registration N56464) equipped with tundra tires and a tailwheel sustained substantial damage while landing at Goose Bay Airport, located about 9 miles south of Big Lake, Alaska. The aircraft was operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal visual flight rules flight. The airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR military flight plan had been filed.
Flight Details
The flight departed Elmendorf Air Force Base at about 0830. The pilot stated that he was practicing stop-and-go landings on the gravel-covered runway at Goose Bay Airport.
Landing and Accident Sequence
Upon touchdown, the right main landing gear separated at the axle housing. This caused the airplane to pivot to the right as the main landing gear leg dug into the gravel surface. The airplane subsequently nosed down, coming to rest on the propeller spinner and left wing.
Damage and Examination
The accident resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and lift struts. The pilot noted that the airplane was equipped with 35-inch tundra tires. A postaccident examination by the pilot revealed that the right main landing gear axle had separated at the axle housing to main landing gear leg attach point.
Metallurgical Analysis
A Senior Safety Board Metallurgist reported that visual and magnified optical examination of the fractured surfaces revealed features consistent with a bending overstress fracture.