SEA00LA003

The pilot stated that, during the landing roll, a 'whirlwind' picked the aircraft's right wing up and the aircraft subsequently began to weathervane to the right. Before the pilot could adequately correct for the wind condition, the left main gear collapsed inward resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft's left wing and fuselage. A post-accident inspection of the aircraft revealed no mechanical failure or malfunctions in the flight control system.

On October 21, 1999, approximately 1200 mountain daylight time, a Maule M-5-235C, N6147M, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal/pleasure flight, was substantially damaged following the collapse of the left main gear while landing at Laurel Municipal Airport, Laurel, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport, Pullman, Washington, approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes prior to the accident. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. There was no report of an ELT activation.

The pilot reported that when he overflew the airport, the position of the wind sock indicated the wind appeared to be directly down runway 22. As he turned final, he noticed that there was a "...slight wind from the right." But, according to the pilot, by the time the aircraft was about 75 feet above the terrain, the wind once again appeared to be directly down the runway. Then after the aircraft touched down in a three-point attitude, and while the pilot was letting it roll to dissipate speed before braking, a "...whirlwind picked the right wing straight up." With the wing in the air "...the plane started to weathervane to the right." Before the pilot could correct for the wind condition, the left main gear collapsed inward, and the left wing contacted the runway.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Helena, Montana, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the wreckage and reported there was no indication of any mechanical failure or malfunction in the flight control system.