Accident Details
On February 15, 2020, at approximately 1438 eastern standard time, a Rockwell International 112B, registration N377SB, was substantially damaged during a runway excursion near Knoxville, Tennessee. The aircraft was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot sustained a minor injury, while the passenger was not injured.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, after departing from Bowman Field Airport (LOU), he proceeded to Knoxville Downtown Island Airport (DKX). With calm winds, he entered an extended left base leg of the traffic pattern for runway 08. He turned onto final approach and reported touching down about one-third down the runway. A few seconds after landing, he applied the brakes equally. Approximately one to two seconds after the airplane began to slow, the pilot felt a "very aggressive turn to the left," describing it as if the airplane had encountered a crosswind of over 20 knots. Despite applying right rudder input, the left turn could not be corrected. The airplane departed the runway onto grass, where the pilot attempted to slow it. The airplane veered left again, and the pilot reported losing all rudder authority. He instructed the passenger to brace for impact, and the airplane came to an abrupt stop. Upon exiting, the pilot noticed that the left main landing gear tire was deflated.
Examination
An FAA inspector examined the accident site and the airplane. Rubber transfer marks on the runway, consistent with the left tire, began about 1,900 feet from the approach end of runway 08. After leaving the runway, the airplane traveled approximately 600 feet before impacting a drainage ditch, causing the nose landing gear to collapse. The left main landing gear tire exhibited a flat spot through the tread. A postaccident examination of the brake system found no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.