On May 1, 1996, a Cessna 170 (registration N1828C) operated by Paul Horn was involved in an aviation accident near Dillingham, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A tire rotating on the rim during braking, which sheared the valve stem and caused separation from the landing gear, resulting in wingtip contact with the ground. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot landed at Dillingham Airport after a fish spotting flight. During taxi, a tire separated from the rim, causing the wingtip to drag on the ground and damage the aircraft.
What happened
The pilot completed a fish spotting mission and landed the airplane at Dillingham Airport. While taxiing back toward the ramp after landing, the pilot applied the brakes to decelerate the aircraft. During this braking maneuver, a tire rotated on its rim, which sheared off the valve stem. The tire and portions of the rim separated from the landing gear assembly. As the airplane continued to move forward, the wingtip dragged along the ground surface.
The investigation
The accident report notes that the airplane was equipped with 8:50 size tires. No further mechanical examination details were provided in the source text regarding the condition of the rim or tire prior to the incident.
Probable cause
A tire rotating on the rim during braking, which sheared the valve stem and caused separation from the landing gear, resulting in wingtip contact with the ground.