A LONG-EZ ON LNDG HAD THE NOSEWHEEL DEPART THE LNDG GEAR STRUT INCURRING DAMAGE TO THE ACFT. CAUSED BY CORRODED WHEEL BOLTS.

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DURING A NORMAL APCH AND LNDG AT ARPT; THE FRONT LNDG GEAR WHEEL ON MY LONG-EZ DETACHED FROM THE LNDG GEAR STRUT; WHICH CAUSED THE NOSE GEAR TO COLLAPSE AND FURTHER CAUSED THE AIRPLANE NOSE TO CONTACT THE RWY. THE AIRPLANE WAS CTLABLE WITH THE MAIN GEAR BRAKES AND DIRECTIONAL CTL WAS MAINTAINED UNTIL THE ACFT CAME TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE ACFT NOSE SECTION AND THE NOSE GEAR SHOCK STRUT. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE BOLTS ATTACHING THE LNDG GEAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO THE NOSE STRUT REVEALED HIDDEN CORROSION THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE BOLTS AND STATED 'THEY WERE CORRODED ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH.' THE ACFT HAD RECENTLY (JAN/01) HAD A VERY THOROUGH ANNUAL (CONDITIONAL) INSPECTION. THERE IS NO SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION IN THE LONG-EZ MANUAL CALLING FOR AN INSPECTION OF THESE BOLTS. TO PREVENT RECURRENCE OF THIS PROB; I AM ADDING A LINE ITEM TO MY ANNUAL INSPECTION TO HAVE THESE BOLTS EXAMINED AND RETORQUED. I WILL ALSO BE TAKING A CLOSE LOOK AT THE BOLTS ON EVERY PREFLT INSPECTION.