Landing and Post-Touchdown Events
After an uneventful 30-minute flight, the pilot returned to the airport and entered the traffic pattern for a full-stop landing on Runway 28. The wind at the time was variable at 3 knots. The pilot reported that the touchdown was normal, but about 5 to 10 seconds after touchdown, the airplane began rumbling and pulling hard to the left. He confirmed that he was not applying the brakes at that time.
The pilot stated that the nose steering was not effective. When the left main landing gear wheel moved onto the grass, he advanced the left throttle in an attempt to counter the left turning tendency. The airplane then contacted a temporary rock road, and both main landing gears collapsed.
Occupant Safety and Post-Landing Actions
All occupants exited the airplane uninjured. Once the pilot deemed it safe, he reentered the airplane and secured the fuel selectors.
Postaccident Inspection
Following the accident, several FAA inspectors examined the airplane. The inspection revealed that the left tire was deflated, with a hole completely worn through the casing in an area of the tread and also through the tube. Operational testing of the brake system showed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction; the brakes released with release of pedal pressure, and no sticking was noted.
Structural Damage
Damage was found to a portion of the left wing at the leading edge and main spar. Additional damage was noted to the main spar of the left aileron and to structure on the lower fuselage aft of the wing trailing edge.