Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the right main landing gear strut due to a preexisting crack.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While taxiing the rental airplane for departure, the pilot felt the right brake fail, which initiated a left turn. The pilot attempted to correct the turn by applying the right rudder pedal, but the airplane veered onto the grass, pivoted 180 degrees back onto the taxiway surface, and came to rest. Examination of the airplane showed that a portion of the right main landing gear strut had separated, and the right wing was buckled. The strut fracture surface showed discoloration consistent with a preexisting crack. The airplane’s most recent 100-hour inspection was completed 5 days before the accident.
Source record
Factual narrative
While taxiing the rental airplane for departure, the pilot felt the right brake fail which initiated a left turn. The pilot attempted to correct the turn by applying right rudder pedal, but the airplane veered off onto the grass. The airplane then pivoted 180 degrees, came back onto the taxiway surface and came to rest. Examination of the airplane showed a portion of the right main landing gear composite strut had separated, and the right wing was buckled. The composite fracture surface showed discoloration consistent with a previous crack to that area of the strut. The airplane underwent a 100-hour inspection on August 21, 2012.