On June 20, 1998, a Cessna 185E (registration N85CF) was involved in an aviation accident near Anchorage, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The rotation/slippage of the right main tire on the wheel rim, resulting in shearing of the tire tube valve stem, and subsequent tire deflation. Factors in the accident were oversize, tundra tires operated on a dry, asphalt runway surface. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A tail wheel airplane equipped with tundra tires experienced a right tire deflation during landing roll, leading to a ground loop and a nosedown attitude.
Incident Overview
A tail wheel equipped airplane with 24-inch tundra tires was landing on a dry asphalt runway. The oversize tires incorporate a large wheel rim adapter attached to the normal wheel rim. During the landing roll, the right main tire deflated. The airplane veered to the right, and the right wing tip struck the runway. The aircraft then began to ground loop. The pilot applied the brakes, causing the airplane to nose down and come to rest in a near vertical attitude.
Post-Inspection Findings
Inspection of the right main wheel revealed a broken tube valve stem. The wheel adapter rim displayed scuffing on its outboard half, while the main wheel half was undamaged.