Primary finding
Probable cause
The fracture of the right main landing gear for an undetermined reason.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
According to the pilot, during the landing roll following a 'normal landing,' the right main landing gear 'broke at [the] midpoint.' The remaining piece of the landing gear then 'pulled out at the root.' Examination of the landing gear by the owner 'showed a crack from the leading edge to the step bolt hole.'
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 4, 1997, at 1300 mountain standard time, a Cessna 140A, N3799V, registered to and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged when the right main landing gear collapsed during the landing roll at the Double Eagle II Airport near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. A flight plan was not filed for the local flight that originated 15 minutes before the accident. According to the pilot, during the landing roll following a "normal landing," the right main landing gear "broke at [the] midpoint." The remaining piece of the landing gear then "pulled out at the root." The right wing and fuselage sustained structural damage. Examination of the landing gear by the owner "showed a crack from the leading edge to the step bolt hole." -