NTSB Factual Report

On February 27, 2004, at 1415 eastern standard time, an Aero Commander 112, N1203J, collided with a snow bank following a loss of directional control while landing on runway 6 (5,344 feet by 150 feet, asphalt) at the Jackson County - Reynolds Airport (JXN), Jackson, Michigan. The certified flight instructor (CFI), student pilot, and the passenger on board were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The last departure during the flight was from the Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport (MOP), Mount Pleasant, Michigan, at approximately 1245.

The CFI reported that upon landing the left main landing gear tire blew out and the airplane veered to the left. He reported the landing was not hard and it did not feel as if the student had the brakes locked on touchdown. He stated he and the student pilot used right rudder in an attempt to keep the airplane on the runway, but it continued off the left side of the runway. The nose gear contacted a snow bank that was approximately 10 feet off the side of the runway, collapsing the nose gear. During a telephone interview the CFI stated the airplane did not veer sharply, but rather it was gradual in an approximate 30 degree angle from the runway heading.

Post accident inspection of the airplane by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Detroit Flight Standards District Office revealed the left tire was blown and there was a flat spot on the tire.

NTSB Probable Cause

The left main tire failed which resulted in the CFI's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing. A factor associated with the accident was the snow bank which the airplane contacted.