What happened
The pilot reported that during the initial attempt to land, he was positioned too high above the runway threshold. Consequently, he initiated a go-around procedure to re-establish the approach path.
On the second approach to the 3050-foot runway, the aircraft was maintaining a speed of 110 mph. The pilot landed beyond the intended touchdown zone. Upon applying the brakes, the aircraft skidded off the departure end of the runway. During this deceleration phase, the left tire blew out, resulting in a loss of directional control. The landing gear collapsed, and the left wing was bent as the aircraft came to a stop.
The investigation
The physical examination of the aircraft revealed significant structural damage consistent with the pilot's account. The landing gear had collapsed under the stress of the off-runway deceleration. Additionally, the left wing sustained bending damage. The sequence of events began with the tire failure, which contributed to the loss of control and subsequent impact with the ground.
Findings
Contributing factors included the pilot's decision to land long on the second approach and the subsequent application of brakes that led to a skid off the runway end. The loss of directional control was a direct result of the tire blowout and the resulting instability during the high-energy deceleration.
Safety message
Pilots should ensure they are stabilized on final approach and within touchdown zones to avoid long landings that may exceed braking capabilities or runway length, particularly when operating near the end of available pavement.