Primary finding
Probable cause
the failure and separation of the right main landing gear wheel assembly due to a preexisting and undetected crack.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that she made a normal landing on the runway. During rollout, the right main landing gear separated from the airplane. Thereafter, the airplane skidded off the runway into a grassy area and was substantially damaged. The federal aviation administration coordinator reported that an inspection of the failed lower section of the right main landing gear assembly revealed the presence of 'a previous crack' which could not have been detected during preflight inspection.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 11, 1994, at 1545 Pacific daylight time, a Beech B19, N19NH, operated by Ram Air Aviation, made a normal landing on runway 26 at the Big Bear City Airport, Big Bear, California. The pilot reported that during rollout the right main landing gear separated from the airplane. Thereafter, the airplane skidded off the runway into a grassy area and was substantially damaged. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight which originated from Palm Springs, California, at an undetermined time. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator reported that an inspection of the failed lower section of the right main landing gear assembly revealed the presence of "a previous crack" which could not be seen during preflight inspection. -