19980616013649A

During landing heard bang. No damage found. On departure right ski seperataed. Swerved. Bothwer wings hit snow. (From .4) during takeoff from a glacier off airport landing site, the right landing gear leg and ski separated from the airplane and both wings contacted the snow. Postaccident inspection revealed multiple site fatigue cracks at both upper wheel attachment bolt holes on the right landing gear leg. The airplane was routinely used for off airport landings on both wheels and skis. The airplane had accumulated 6,561 hours in operation at the time of the accident. No life limit (hours or cycles) exists for Cessna 185 landing gear legs. The only inspection for cracks is a visual inspection for general condition performed at 100 hour and annual intervals. This inspection does not require removal of the wheels/skis, nor does it require removal of any paint coatings prior to inspection. (-23) on 06/16/98, at 1215 adt, a wheel-ski equipped Cessna A185F, N185DG, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the 7,000 ft. level of the kahiltna glacier. The pilot stated during the previous landing, he heard a "pop" sound from the right side of the aircraft during the landing roll. After shutdown, he inspected the aircraft and skis, but noted no discrepancies. During the subsequent takeoff, the right wheel-ski separated from the aircraft, causing the aircraft to ground loop to the right. The aircraft came to a stop after rotating 180', resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing, and tail control surfaces. On-site examination of the aircraft indicated the spring steel gear leg separated through the upper axel attach bolt area. A check of maintenance records revealed the gear leg had been inspected and dye-checked 167 hours prior to the accident.