Cessna 175 N9235B accident near Hayden, Idaho

Probable cause

The failure of the right main landing gearbox assembly due to fatigue cracking, which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing roll.

NTSB analysis

The pilot receiving instruction and flight instructor reported that, during the landing roll, while slowing the airplane in preparation to exit the runway, the airplane abruptly turned to the right. Despite the application of left rudder and left brake, the airplane continued to the right and ground looped. The pilot taxied the airplane back to his hangar and noticed that the rudder inputs needed were not typical. Upon examination at his hangar, he discovered substantial damage to the left wing, left horizontal stabilizer and elevator. He also noted that the right main landing gear leg was misaligned, and the right main landing gearbox assembly was fractured.

Postaccident examination of the right main landing gearbox revealed evidence of fatigue cracking within the hollow slot of the assembly and subsequent overstress fractures outside of the fatigue zone.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR23LA102 for the full record.