LAX98LA002

The airplane's gear dug into soft sand after it departed the runway and the aircraft nosed over. In a postaccident examination of the aircraft, the pilot found a 5-inch cut in the tire and a 3-inch cut in the tube of the right main landing gear. The pilot believed that the cut occurred on takeoff from Del Rio, Texas. An FAA Inspector examined the aircraft, noted the cut and deflated tire, and also noted that the right main landing gear was deflated. The inspector also found corresponding skid marks on the runway.

On October 2, 1997, at 1530 hours mountain standard time, a Blackwell Midget Mustang, N32JB, veered off the runway 21R on landing and nosed over at Luke Air Force Base, Glendale, Arizona. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight and an IFR flight plan was filed. The aircraft departed from Del Rio, Texas, at 1050 central daylight time, and was scheduled to terminate at Luke AFB.

The pilot stated he touched down at the 3,000-foot marker and that shortly after touchdown, the aircraft yawed violently to the left and became uncontrollable. The airplane departed the runway to the left and nosed over when it entered soft sand. The pilot stated that he apparently cut his right main tire on takeoff from the Del Rio International Airport. He said that the cut was approximately 5 inches in the tire and about 3 inches in the tube.

An Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office examined the airplane at the request of the Safety Board. He stated that the right main tire was deflated, with corresponding skid marks on the runway. Additionally he stated that at the time of the accident winds were reported from 150 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 18 knots.