Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during the landing sequence, the back wheels of the airplane touched the runway. At that moment, he heard a popping sound and subsequently lost control of the aircraft. The airplane veered off the right side of the runway, where the right wing and nose impacted a ditch. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to both wings and the engine mount.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that he assumed the right tire had exploded during the landing. However, a front-view photograph of the airplane at the accident site, provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, showed that the right main landing gear tire remained intact and inflated. The pilot also verified that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Examination
The photograph taken at the accident site depicted the airplane resting off the right side of the runway. The condition of the right main landing gear tire was documented as intact and inflated, which contradicted the pilot's initial assumption of a tire explosion.
Findings
Based on the pilot's statement and the photographic evidence, no mechanical issues were identified prior to the incident. The cause of the pop and the subsequent loss of control remain as described by the pilot, with no further determinations made from the available information.