Primary finding
Probable cause
The left main landing gear tire burst during takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During the takeoff ground roll on a rough airstrip, the left main landing gear tire blew out. As the pilot was correcting for the situation, the right wing contacted the grain growing along the border of the airstrip. The airplane veered into the field and nosed over.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 31, 1995, at 1030 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25- 235, N8808L, nosed over in an open field near Shelley, Idaho, after a main landing gear tire blew during the take off ground roll. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local aerial application flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The pilot reported that during the take off ground roll on a rough dirt airstrip, the left main landing gear tire blew out. The pilot stated that as he was correcting for the situation, the right wing contacted the grain growing along the boarder of the airstrip. The airplane veered into the field and nosed over. -