Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 80; Flight Crew Total 1400; Flight Crew Type 10
Human-Machine Interface; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Evacuated
Aircraft
I was practicing takeoff and landings in the pattern with a Student. Our fifth approach around the pattern was normal and the Student actually made a nice three point landing; but shortly after touching down the aircraft veered to the left when the left tire popped. The Student reacted by applying hard right rudder which then caused the aircraft to quickly and sharply veer to the right which resulted in a ground loop off the runway; ending up in the grass. It happened so fast that by the time I was able to react with left rudder inputs it was too late and we were committed to the imminent ground loop. The Student and I were unhurt; but the aircraft sustained some damage to the landing gear strut; wing tip and tail wheel; plus a cracked windshield. The tires appeared to be in good condition; tread was good; no dry rot noticed and inflations looked good. The Student did say the tire that popped was about ten years old.  I think tail draggers are risky for teaching in and things can get bad very fast. I'm sticking to tricycle gear aircraft.
An Instructor pilot and his Student lost control of their aircraft when the left tire blew out during the landing roll.  A ground loop followed when the Student pilot overreacted and the aircraft exited the runway suffering damage to a wingtip; landing gear; tail wheel and windshield.