20241211019199I

The private pilot acting as pilot in command (PIC) was in progress of completing a long cross country flight to meet the requirements for a commercial pilot certificate. Also aboard the flight was a certified flight instructor (CFI) acting as a safety pilot for portions of the flight where simulated instrument training (under the hood) was being conducted. In a statement, the PIC reported: short final into kbtr for runway 31 it was stabilized approach, winds were very high that day I do not remember exact number. Landed on runway a little bit firm turned off onto echo and that's when I realized the tire had popped. We weren’t able to make it completely off the runway, we let the tower know and they said to go ahead and shut the plane down. Shut the airplane down, mechanics came out took the tire off put a new one on and we started the airplane back up and taxied on echo to park. The CFI mentioned in a statement that after noticing a flat tire on the right side intervened with control inputs to prevent a veering off of the runway surface. The maintenance log entry confirmed replacement of the right main landing gear tire and inner tube with no other damage noted. A brief telephone conversation with the mechanic revealed that the cause of tire failure/deflation was from a single flat spot worn through the tire consistent with wheel lock up during touchdown. The mechanic also mentioned that the right main wheel brake system appeared to be functioning normally. In conclusion, it appears that the tire blowout was the result of excessive application of the right brake in combination with side loading from crosswind correction in gusty wind conditions during the touchdown phase of flight.