Event Details
During climb through 9,000 feet, the pilot heard a very loud explosive sound emanating from the right side of the aircraft. In response, the pilot returned to the airport and initiated a landing.
Landing and Aftermath
Upon touchdown, the aircraft began to veer to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation, but the aircraft departed the right side of the runway. Subsequently, the right main landing gear collapsed, driving through the top of the wing.
Findings
Examination of the runway revealed remnants of the right main tire and inner tube at the point of touchdown. Half of the right main tire, which had accumulated 30 hours of total time in service, was recovered. Most of the inner tube was also found, with a round section blown out. The valve stem was missing. Continuous S-shaped marks on the tire indicated that it had come off the rim.