Accident Sequence
The pilot executed a wheel landing on runway 28L. During the landing roll, as the tail of the airplane settled onto the runway, the airplane began to swerve slightly to the right. In response, the pilot applied left rudder input. However, due to the low speed of the airplane, the rudder was not effective in counteracting the swerve. The airplane continued to deviate to the right. The left main tire then detached from the wheel rim. The exposed wheel rim made contact with the pavement, causing the airplane to rotate 180 degrees. The airplane came to a stop off the right side of the runway.
Mechanical Condition
According to the pilot, the airplane experienced no mechanical anomalies prior to the accident.
Damage Assessment
The Director of Maintenance of the repair facility provided a list of damaged components to the NTSB investigator. The list indicated that the fuselage sustained structural damage in the vicinity of the left main landing gear attachment point.