SEA02LA084

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped experimental aircraft had just completed an uneventful landing and was turning off the runway at a speed estimated to be about ten to fifteen miles per hour. As the aircraft was exiting the runway, the AN-5 bolt that attached the left gear leg to the landing gear saddle bracket failed. The left side of the aircraft then settled to the runway and the left wing sustained substantial damage. The reason for the failure of the bolt was not ultimately determined.

On May 22, 2002, approximately 1315 Pacific daylight time, a Paxhia Murphy SR3500 experimental-category airplane, N526AP, experienced a left main landing gear collapse as the pilot was preparing to taxi clear of the runway following landing on runway 13R at King County International Airport/Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington. Following the gear collapse, the aircraft's left wing contacted the runway surface, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot (who had built the aircraft) and two passengers aboard the aircraft were not injured in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions with calm winds were reported at the airport at 1253, and no flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR 91 personal flight from Vashon, Washington.

The aircraft received its initial experimental-category airworthiness certificate on April 15, 2002, and (according to the aircraft logbook) completed its required initial flight test hours on May 18, 2002. The aircraft logbook indicated that as of May 18, the aircraft's total time in service was 40.6 hours (per the aircraft's Hobbs meter) or 30.1 hours (per the aircraft's recording tachometer). The aircraft was equipped with tailwheel landing gear. The pilot indicated in an initial telephone interview that the accident flight was the airplane's first flight with passengers aboard. In preliminary statements, the aircraft occupants indicated that as the pilot prepared to turn left onto taxiway A4 following a normal landing roll, at a speed of approximately 15 knots, the left landing gear collapsed, and the aircraft 's left side dropped to the pavement. The aircraft came to rest facing approximately northbound. Following the accident, it was discovered that the AN-5 bolt holding the gear leg to the landing gear saddle bracket had failed. The reason for the failure of the bolt was not ultimately determined.