Piper PA-22-160 N9314D accident near Homer, Alaska

Probable cause

The failure of the left main landing gear mount due to extensive corrosion while landing in an area of rough terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, while landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane at a remote airstrip, the airplane encountered an area of rough and uneven terrain and the main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to both wing lift struts and the fuselage near the left main landing gear mount. After exiting the airplane, the pilot observed that the left main gear had fractured at the fuselage attach point. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Photos of the fracture surfaces from the main landing gear spring and fuselage attach point exhibited features that were consistent with extensive corrosion. It is likely that a fatigue crack initiated due to the corrosion damage at the fracture origin.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC25LA087 for the full record.