Cessna 140A N9467A accident near White Plains, New York

Probable cause

The failure of the right main landing gear due to a preexisting crack adjacent to a weld line.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the approach was “on speed,” but upon initial touchdown the airplane bounced. The airplane then landed “firm” and immediately veered off the runway surface. Structural damage to the fuselage resulted. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that a section of the right main landing gear structure had failed. Postaccident examination of the fracture surface, which was adjacent to a weld line, revealed evidence of a preexisting crack. There was differential rusting on the crack surface indicative of progressive crack extension. The airplane had recently undergone an annual inspection, however the FAA inspector reported that the fracture surface could not be seen without disassembly of the landing gear.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09LA467 for the full record.