Grumman G-164C N171BW accident near Beech Grove, Arkansas

Probable cause

A tire failure for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff.

NTSB analysis

The commercial pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, the right main tire "went flat and possibly blew." The airplane veered right and went off the side of the runway, where it impacted a ditch, bounced, turned sideways, and slid to a stop. The pilot saw fuel running out of the engine compartment and the airplane caught fire. The airplane continued to burn, and the engine compartment, cockpit, fuselage, empennage, and left wing were largely consumed by fire. The photographs taken of the wreckage at the accident site revealed that the airplane, including the main landing gear wheels, brakes, and tires, were largely consumed by fire, and fire damage precluded examination or testing of the wheels, brakes, and tires.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN17LA177 for the full record.