NTSB Factual Report

On September 6, 2004 at 1500 central daylight time a Beech D18S, N432U, registered to Comanche Air Inc and operated by a private pilot, right tire blew and the airplane slid to the right side of runway 18 while on take off roll at Tullahoma Regional Airport in Tullahoma, Tennessee. The parachute jump flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and 10 passengers were not injured. The flight originated from the Tullahoma Regional Airport, Tullahoma, Tennessee, on September 6, 2004 at 1500.

According to the pilot, during takeoff roll, the airplane's right landing gear tire blew out. The pilot further stated that following the tire blow-out, the left wing came up and the airplane drifted right. At this point, the pilot shut down the engine power. The pilot then stated that as the airplane continued to drift right, the right wheel caught the raised grass area on the edge of the runway. The airplane's tail swung to the right and the right landing gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest on the right edge of runway 18, 100 yards from where the tire went flat.

The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. Examination of accident site revealed tire skid marks off to the right of the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed damage to the right wing, right engine, cowling, and right wing propeller. The right landing gear assembly was torn from the airframe and the empennage was partially detached. A review of maintenance records recovered failed to disclose the history of the tire.

NTSB Probable Cause

Right tire burst during an attempted takeoff that resulted in loss of directional control and the on ground collision with the ground.