On 3 Sep 2011, a SHERMAN CRAIG W GLASAIR III operated by HUTTER ROBERT A was involved in an aviation accident near Kanab, UT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, as a result of a flat left main landing gear tire. This summary draws on records from NTSB.
During landing, a pilot felt a vibration and the airplane pulled left. Despite applying right brake, it exited the runway, traversed gravel and brush. Post-accident inspection found the left main landing gear tire flat.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during the landing touchdown, a vibration was felt followed by the airplane pulling to the left. Attempting to correct the deviation, the pilot applied right brake, but the airplane continued leftward, departing the left side of the runway. The airplane then traversed over the adjacent gravel area and into brush before coming to rest.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector conducted a post-accident examination of the airplane. The examination revealed that the left main landing gear tire was flat. No other anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal flight operations.
Summary
The incident involved a runway excursion during landing, attributed to a flat tire on the left main landing gear. The airplane came to rest off the runway surface in brush.