A BEECH 23 ON LNDG ROLLOUT EXPERIENCED L MAIN LNDG GEAR STRUT FAILURE INCURRING DAMAGE TO THE ACFT.

Narrative

THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER A NORMAL LNDG. ON THE LNDG ROLLOUT IT BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO CTL THE ACFT. AT APPROX 10-20 KTS THE NOSE OF THE ACFT CAME UP; THE L WING DROPPED; AND THE R WING CAME UP. I NOTICED SPARKS FROM THE L SIDE AND THE ACFT BEGAN PULLING TO THE L. THE ACFT CAME TO A STOP ON THE RWY AND I NOTIFIED MDW TWR WE WERE UNABLE TO EXIT THE RWY AND NEEDED ASSISTANCE. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN THE ACFT AND EXITING; I NOTICED THE L MAIN GEAR HAD SEPARATED FROM THE STRUT. THE STRUT HAD COMPLETELY SEVERED IN TWO; DIRECTLY ABOVE THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY. THE TYPE ACFT IS A BEECHCRAFT SUNDOWNER WHICH IS A SINGLE ENG; FIXED GEAR; 4 SEAT AIRPLANE. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE ACFT OTHER THAN THE L MAIN GEAR. ALSO; THERE WERE NO INJURIES. DURING THE PREFLT; NO DAMAGE OR CRACKS WERE DISCOVERED. ALSO NO EVIDENCE OF THE PROB WAS DISCOVERED DURING THE REVIEW OF THE MAINT LOGS. APPARENTLY THE CAUSE WAS A STRESS FRACTURE WHICH I FEEL WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO DETECT; UNDER NORMAL INSPECTIONS.