ANC01LA019

The certificated private pilot was landing a tundra tire equipped airplane, on a gravel-covered runway that had about 2 or 3 inches of standing water stretching lengthwise along the right side of the runway. During the landing roll, as the right main wheel entered the water, the pilot applied the brakes, and the right wheel began to hydroplane and stop turning. As the airplane continued down the runway, the right wheel exited the standing water, and contacted the gravel surface of the runway. The pilot explained that the force of the non-rotating wheel contacting the gravel runway sheared the right tire's valve stem, and the right tire instantly deflated. The deflated right tire 'grabbed' and the right axle broke. The right wing struck the runway and sustained substantial damage to the leading edge, and main spar. In his written report to the NTSB, the pilot wrote: 'The air pressure in the tire may have been a little low, due to the cold weather we had earlier.'

On November 14, 2000, about 1100 Alaska standard time, a tundra tire equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N1681C, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Clarks Point Airport, Clarks Point, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot, and the two passengers aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1000, from the Naknek Airport, Naknek, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on November 17, the pilot reported that he was landing on runway 26, which required a correction for a strong left crosswind. He added that there was about 2 or 3 inches of standing water stretching lengthwise along the right side of the runway. He said that as the main landing gear touched down, and as the right main wheel entered the water, he applied the brakes. He said that the right wheel began to hydroplane, and stop turning. As the airplane continued down the runway, the right wheel exited the water, and contacted the gravel surface of the runway. The pilot explained that the force of the non-rotating wheel contacting the gravel runway sheared the right tire's valve stem, and the right tire instantly deflated. He said that the deflated right tire "grabbed" and the right axle broke. The right wing struck the runway and sustained substantial damage to the leading edge and main spar.

The pilot submitted a written report to the NTSB dated December 5. In his written report, the pilot wrote: "The air pressure in the tire may have been a little low, due to the cold weather we had earlier."