Accident Details
On June 2, 2022, at approximately 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna 170A, registration N1396D, was substantially damaged during a landing accident near Houston, Texas. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot sustained no injuries.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the wind was from 010° at 7 knots with thunderstorms in the vicinity. He described the approach as stable despite significant thermal and downdraft activity. During touchdown, the airplane banked slightly to the left, and the left wheel contacted the runway hard due to a downdraft, causing the aircraft to bounce. The pilot stated that when the left wheel touched down a second time, the airplane jerked aggressively to the left. He applied right rudder and full power to abort the landing but could not recall subsequent events. The airplane came to rest on its right main wheel, tail wheel, and left wing, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing spar.
FAA Inspection
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the accident scene. Evidence indicated that the airplane landed in the center of the runway, departed to the left into a grassy area, and then returned to the runway, where the left main landing gear separated from the fuselage. The inspector located a nut near the landing gear attach point that appeared to be from the bolt used to secure the landing gear strut. The nut had thread damage, and the corresponding bolt was not found.
Post-Recovery Examination
The wreckage was moved to a salvage facility for further inspection. Each main landing gear strut was secured by two bulkhead assemblies, with the strut slotted through the outboard bulkhead and held to the inner bulkhead by a bolt. Examination of the left landing gear attach point revealed that the top of the outboard bulkhead assembly was broken off and missing. The fractured surfaces on the remaining lower portion were consistent with an overload event. Additional damage was present in the floor above the outboard bulkhead, and the fuselage skin around it was torn and deformed. The left landing gear strut was damaged on the bottom aft side near its mounting point, and the brake caliper mount showed impact damage. Grass was found between the tire and rim of the left wheel. The right main landing gear was intact and undamaged.
Maintenance Records
Maintenance logs for the accident airplane were reviewed. No entries were found regarding the removal or installation of the main landing gear struts.