ERA10LA177

While on approach to land in gusty crosswind conditions, the pilot touched down hard that separated the right main landing gear near its attach point to the fuselage. Examination of the separated components revealed that the landing gear had separated as a result of overstress.

On March 15, 2010, at 1340 eastern daylight time, a Cessna T337G, N74E, received substantial damage when the right main landing gear collapsed during landing on runway 23 at the Shelby-Cleveland County Regional Airport (EHO), Shelby, North Carolina. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was registered to Delta Whiskey Bravo, Inc, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight originated from EHO about 1310 the same day. According to the pilot, everything was normal on the approach except for a strong crosswind. After touchdown, the airplane became uncontrollable and veered off the runway into the grass. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airplane had damage to the right main gear, right and left wings, and the rear engine propeller. Three pieces of the right main landing gear lower end were sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington, DC, for further examination. Examination of the pieces revealed that the upper fracture was completely obliterated by abrasion consistent with hard surface runway contact. The lower fracture was partially obscured by asphalt-like material and mechanical damage. The smaller chip-like piece was relatively undamaged. The lower fracture was cut from the remainder and examined with a scanning electron microscope. A mixed fracture topography of dimple rupture and cleavage consistent with overstress separation was observed. See the Materials Laboratory Factual Report in the public docket for additional details. A review of recorded weather data from the EHO automated weather observation station, elevation 845 feet, revealed at 1340, conditions included winds from 340 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 18 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 15 degrees Celsius, dew point 4 degrees Celsius, and altimeter 29.79 inches of mercury.