Probable cause
A failure of the aft left weld-on fuselage landing gear fitting due to a poor weld joint.
NTSB analysis
While dragging an off-airport landing site, the flight instructor heard an audible "pop" and noticed a partial separation of the left main landing gear. After returning to the departure airport, he conducted a fly by and was told that the left main landing gear was loose. The pilot conducted an emergency landing, which resulted in a ground loop and substantial damage to the fuselage.
Postaccident examination revealed that the aft left welded-on fuselage landing gear fitting had separated from the fuselage at the welding point. Examination of the fractured weld surfaces revealed an unacceptable weld filet profile, which included incomplete fusion, a lack of penetration, and gross porosity in the weld deposit.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC19LA047 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 29, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Talkeetna, Alaska
- Nearest airport
- Talkeetna (TKA)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-22-150
- N-number
- N7236D
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1957
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.