FTW96LA064

Failure of the left main landing gear strut at the fork weld.

The pilot was cleared for a VFR approach to runway 34R. On final approach, the landing gear was extended, and the landing gear green lights illuminated. As the airplane touched down, the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane exited the runway to the left and came to rest in a drainage ditch. Examination of the left main landing gear revealed a separation at the weld of the strut and fork. The airplane was landed hard several months prior to the accident, and a hard landing inspection was accomplished. However, the inspection did not reveal any anomalies or defects.

On December 8, 1995, at 1837 central standard time, a Cessna 310D, N6925T, registered to, and operated by Aer Mistral Inc. as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was substantially damaged during landing at Fort Worth Meacham Airport, Fort Worth, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot and his safety pilot were not injured. The flight originated from Fort Worth, Texas, about 2 hours 52 minutes before the accident with stops at Mineral Wells and Gainesville, Texas. The pilot reported the following information in a written statement. He was cleared for a VFR approach to runway 34R. The landing gear was extended on final approach and the landing gear green lights illuminated. As the airplane touched down the left main landing gear collapsed. A FAA inspector reported that, the airplane exited the runway to the left and came to rest in a drainage ditch. The fuselage forward of the tail was wrinkled and the right wing spar was damaged. Examination of the left main landing gear revealed a separation at the weld of the strut and fork. The FAA inspector further reported the airplane was landed hard several months prior to the accident. A hard landing inspection was accomplished. However, the inspection did not reveal any anomalies or defects. -