Aircraft: Glasair III. Injuries: None. Location: Kanab, Utah. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: According to the pilot, he felt a vibration upon landing, followed by the airplane pulling to the left. He added right brake in an attempt to regain control of the airplane, but it continued to the left and went off the side of the runway, across a gravel span and into bushes.
The post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the left main landing gear tire was flat. No other anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal flight.
Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, as a result of a flat left main landing gear tire.
NTSB Identification: WPR11CA433
This September 2011 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it isintended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
I AM AMAZED, I HAVE LANDED WITH NOT ONLY FLAT TIRES, BUT ALSO WITH A BLOWN RIGHT TIRE IN A CESSNA T 50 BAMBOO BOMBER. WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH THE IDEA OF BEING IN CONTROL OF THE SITUATION REGARDLESS OF THE UNEXPECTED. I SAY MOST ACCIDENTS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A FEW MORONICS CAN BE TRACED BACK TO THE PILOTS FIRST FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR NOT PUSHING FOR EXCELLENCE
Vaughn, don’t forget that you have 15000 accident free general aviation hours in 139 different makes and models! You’ve mentioned it in literally every other comment, why leave it out here? C’mon! You should receive accolades for your obvious perfection and indisputable pilot talent!
“Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, as a result of a flat left main landing gear tire.” Really? The pilot is at fault because the tire went down in flight? By this reasoning, when would an accident or malfunction EVER be mechanical failure ?!