What happened
The flight involved an airplane equipped with 29-inch tundra tires approaching a dry, newly surfaced asphalt runway. Environmental conditions at the time included a light right crosswind reported at 6 knots from a heading of 40 degrees.
During the landing phase, the pilot reported that the aircraft handled normally and did not experience any mechanical issues or control difficulties. Despite the favorable weather conditions, the airplane began to drift toward the left side of the runway. The pilot allowed this lateral movement to continue rather than correcting it immediately.
As the aircraft continued its uncorrected path, it departed the paved surface entirely. Upon leaving the runway environment, the airplane struck a berm located adjacent to the pavement. The impact with the berm caused the nose gear to collapse, resulting in the airplane nosing over onto its fuselage.
The investigation
Post-accident examination focused on the mechanical condition of the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the departure from the runway. The pilot provided a statement indicating that no operational problems were encountered during the approach or touchdown. The primary finding was the uncorrected veering to the left, which led directly to the contact with the berm.
Findings
The sequence of events indicates that the aircraft departed the runway due to lateral deviation. The lack of corrective action by the pilot allowed the airplane to cross the runway edge and impact the terrain feature. The use of tundra tires may have influenced ground handling characteristics, but the pilot's decision to allow the veer was the immediate cause of the accident.
Safety message
Pilots operating aircraft with non-standard tire configurations should be aware of potential changes in ground handling dynamics. Maintaining precise directional control during landing roll is critical, especially when deviations occur, regardless of wind conditions.