Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of his conventional gear airplane after the failure of a main landing gear tire.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the ground roll portion of takeoff the left main landing gear tire blew out. The pilot aborted the takeoff by reducing engine power. The airplane veered off the runway, entered a gravel area, and collided with a runway sign. The runway was 5998 feet long by 150 feet wide.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 30, 1993, at 1045 Pacific daylight time, a Cryder RV6 (experimental airplane), N607DC, experienced a loss of directional control during takeoff from the Yelland Field, Ely, Nevada. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and neither the commercial pilot nor passenger was injured. The flight was originating at the time of the mishap. The pilot was interviewed via telephone on September 30, 1993. The pilot stated that the left main landing gear tire blew out during the ground roll portion of the takeoff from Runway 18. The pilot further stated that he aborted the takeoff by reducing engine power, and then he lost control of the airplane as it veered off the runway into gravel and collided with a runway sign. -