NTSB Factual Report

The pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane was veering to the left. He attempted to correct for the veer with right rudder and brake to no avail. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, encountered a ditch, and the airplane came to rest.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported that the left main tire failed on landing.

The Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector reported that, there were marks on the runway from the failed tire, but he was unable to tell if the tire had failed prior to or upon landing. The inspector also assessed the brakes and did not notice anything abnormal.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing due to a flat tire.