N82029

On January 19, 2000, about 1545 eastern standard time, an Aeronca 7AC, N82029, registered to an individual, sustained damage when the right main landing gear collapsed during landing at Airport Manatee, Palmetto, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight last departed Palmetto, Florida, the same day, about 1540.

The pilot stated that while landing at Airport Manatee, the right main landing gear strut failed and the gear folded under the fuselage. The right wing tip contacted the ground and the aircraft rolled about 50 feet and came to rest. When he examined the collapsed right main landing gear after the accident, he determined the gear had collapsed due to a broken weld on the upper part of the strut assembly. He welded the separated gear back onto the aircraft to relocate the aircraft. The separation fracture surface was destroyed and could not be examined by NTSB.