N4185LPiper PA46-500TP · 2000

On November 23, 2013, about 2115 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-46-500TP, N4185L, was substantially damaged following a main landing gear tire failure during takeoff, a loss of directional control, and runway excursion at Monroe, North Carolina (EQY). The commercial pilot and five passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Night, visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight to Knoxville, Tennessee (TYS) was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll and at rotation speed, the right, main landing gear tire failed. He aborted the takeoff and the airplane departed the right side of the runway. The ground around the runway edge was uneven due to airfield construction, and the wings bounced as the airplane departed the runway surface. The airplane came to a stop about 300 feet from the runway surface and the pilot and passengers exited the airplane.

An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and inspected the airplane. He reported substantial damage to the right aileron. The damage was consistent with over-travel of the aileron control surface during the excursion. The right main gear tire had failed. After recovery of the airplane, the FAA inspector and a mechanic checked the left main gear tire pressure with a non-calibrated tire gauge that was less than a year old. The left main tire pressure was 40 psi. According to the pilot's operating handbook, the main tire pressure should have been 55 psi. The nose gear tire pressure was also below the manufacturer's recommended pressure. The failed main gear tire and damaged aileron parts were retained for further examination.

On March 11, 2014, the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge examined the failed right main gear tire at the Goodyear Aviation facility at Stockbridge, Georgia, assisted by the Goodyear Aviation Senior Product Support Manager. The tire, a Goodyear 6.00-6, 8-ply aviation tire, was sectioned with a band saw to facilitate a visual examination. The sidewall was ruptured in multiple locations. There were no pre-existing manufacturing anomalies noted. There was no evidence of foreign object damage noted. The tire contained an inner tube, which was ruptured and in numerous, small pieces. Many of the pieces were adhered together with reverted rubber. The damages to the tire and inner tube were consistent with under-inflation and/or over-deflection during use in service.