Probable cause
A failure of the landing gear fitting at the fuselage attachment point to due to a poor weld joint.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated he was landing on a remote, rough and uneven gravel bar in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. During the landing roll, the left wing suddenly dipped, and it subsequently struck the gravel bar, sustaining substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed that the left main landing gear had separated. Examination of the separated landing gear revealed the fractured areas of the weld at the fuselage attachment point exhibited rounded, reflected features consistent with a lack of fusion. In addition, there were areas that were absent of weld material along the circumferential or peripheral area, consistent with a lack of fusion. According to maintenance records the weld was from a landing gear conversion about 11 years prior to the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC24LA082 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 25, 2024
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sagwon, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-22-150
- N-number
- N6815B
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1956
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.