Introduction
On June 11, 2011, at 13:40 UTC, a Cessna 195B aircraft with registration N2314C was involved in an accident at Mnichovo Hradiště Airport (LKMH). The aircraft was operated by a private owner. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.
Accident Sequence
According to the pilot's account, the landing on grass runway 07L was uneventful. After touching down at approximately 70 MPH on the main landing gear, the pilot transitioned to the tail wheel as speed decreased. While braking, the aircraft began to skid slightly. Despite the pilot's efforts to maintain directional control with rudder input, the aircraft veered sharply to the left. This caused the right main landing gear attachment to fail, the right wing to contact the ground at an estimated speed of 15 km/h, and the engine to stop abruptly as the propeller struck the ground. The pilot reported no awareness of any omission or error.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The Cessna 195B is a light, single-engine, high-wing aircraft with a tailwheel configuration, powered by a Jacobs R-755B2 radial engine. The aircraft was manufactured in 1955 and had a valid airworthiness certificate. The pilot, aged 49, held a valid private pilot license (PPL) with multi-engine and single-engine land ratings, as well as a valid Class 2 medical certificate. His total flight time was 536 hours and 28 minutes, with 79 hours and 58 minutes in the previous 90 days, including 8 hours and 35 minutes on the accident aircraft. A breathalyzer test conducted by police was negative.
Damage
The aircraft sustained extensive damage. The right main landing gear attachment structure (the "dome") was torn from the fuselage, causing destruction of fuselage bulkheads, floor panels, seat rails, and door frame components. The right wing exhibited a bent spar and deformed skin and ribs between wing ribs 35.00 and 211.00. The propeller blades were partially damaged.
Investigation Findings
During the landing roll on wet grass, lateral forces acting on the right main landing gear led to the failure of its attachment. A technical inspection revealed that the attachment had been previously repaired using a non-certified replacement part, which weakened the structure. The weather and runway surface were not considered contributing factors. The pilot was qualified and the aircraft was properly maintained prior to the flight.
Probable Cause
The cause of the accident was weakening of the structure of the landing gear attachment bulkhead due to the use of a non-certified replacement part for the right main landing gear attachment, which was unable to withstand the increased operational loads from the main landing gear as a result of lateral forces.