Amateur-built SC SKYBOLT N300SB accident near Corvallis, Oregon

Probable cause

The collapse of the left main landing gear truss due to a weld joint failure, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage frame structure.

NTSB analysis

The father of the passenger reported that his son, who was the passenger and owner, had just purchased the airplane, that a prepurchase inspection was conducted, and that “everything looked good.” The pilot was conducting a personal, local flight in the airplane, which included normal maneuvers and several touch-and-go landings with no issues. However, after the last landing and while taxiing the airplane back to the ramp, the left main landing gear (MLG) collapsed.

Examination of the left MLG’s truss structure, which is welded to the fuselage, revealed substantial damage to the fuselage frame structure. Examination also revealed that a weld joint where the truss mounts to the fuselage was cracked and broken. Rust was noted around the weld area, and it appeared that a previous crack had been repaired. The father reported that the area of the failure was hidden behind the bungee and was not visible during the prepurchase inspection. Given the evidence, it is likely that the left main landing gear collapsed due to the weld joint failure.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR16LA174 for the full record.