What happened
During a flight training session, a private pilot was performing a simulated single-engine approach. Upon touching down on runway 31, the certified flight instructor (CFI) instructed the pilot to apply the brakes to allow for a turnoff at the mid-field taxiway. As the pilot applied the brakes, the Cessna 172 began to veer to the left.
The CFI verbally instructed the pilot to release the brakes and took control of the aircraft, applying right rudder to correct the direction. Despite these efforts, the aircraft continued to veer left. The instructor then applied full right rudder; however, the aircraft proceeded off the left side of the runway. The excursion was caused by the left main landing gear tire being flat. During the excursion, the left main landing gear struck uneven terrain, resulting in a gear collapse.
Skid marks were observed on the runway starting 1,400 feet from the approach end and extending 345 yards to the area where the right main landing gear created a gouge in the sod west of the runway. There were no injuries reported following the incident.