Primary finding
Probable cause
Failure of the right main landing gear attachment bolt and hold-down nut, resulting in the right main landing gear collapsing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While performing a touch-and-go, the pilot stated that he was applying power for his go-around when the right wing started “dropping” and the airplane ground looped, coming to a stop facing west. The pilot commented that he looked straight ahead and saw his right main landing gear laying on the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the main landing gear mounting plate, lower wing strut attach fitting, and surrounding structure. Postaccident inspection revealed that the right inboard mounting bolt and the right outboard forward landing gear strut attachment bracket bolt hold-down nut failed. Subsequently, the hold-down bracket bent, and the right main landing gear separated from the fuselage upon landing..