Incident Overview
According to the pilot, the left main wheel disintegrated just after touchdown. The pilot stated he could not prevent the aircraft from veering off the runway. As the aircraft entered the grassy dirt area adjacent to the runway, the left axle dug into the soil, causing the aircraft to nose over.
Aircraft and Wheel Details
The pilot reported that the wheel assembly was an original equipment item on the aircraft, which was manufactured in 1948 and had accrued a total time in service of 1,407 hours. The pilot said he had removed and inspected the wheel the day before the accident and that it appeared normal.
Post-Accident Findings
Post-accident inspection of the wheel pieces by the pilot revealed evidence of a small fairly recent crack in the wheel casting near the axle. The pilot further said the crack was in the inside part of the wheel and under the tire, where it could not have been observed unless the wheel had been completely disassembled.