Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the airplane’s right main landing gear due to a pre-existing fatigue crack and corrosion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While on the landing roll in a grassy area with rough terrain, the airplane's right main landing gear broke and separated from the airplane. The pilot was then unable to maintain directional control of the airplane, which then nosed over and came to rest inverted with substantial damage to the upper wing and rudder. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right landing gear strut had a pre-existing fatigue fracture with interior corrosion, which was not discovered during a previous inspection.
Source record
Factual narrative
To help with directional control on the tailwheel equipped airplane, the pilot landed in grassy area with rough terrain features. While on the landing roll, the airplane's right main landing gear broke and separated from the airplane. Directional control of the airplane was lost, the airplane nosed over, and came to rest in the inverted position. Substantial damage was sustained to the airplane's upper wing and rudder. An examination of the airplane revealed a pre-existing fatigue fracture with interior corrosion of the right landing gear strut, that was not discovered during the previous inspection.