Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 440; Flight Crew Type 275
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Airport
I was taking some friends up on a flight and did a practice approach in visual conditions with a touch and go; then went and did another practice approach. Performed a circle to land for Runway 20. There was a slight cross wind. Winds were 210-220 at 10 knots. Touched down on right main gear first with stall warning horn going on and then left main gear touched down; then nose gear. As I rolled out at maybe 25-30 knots or so I started to get severe shudder in the airplane and it started to pull to the left. I added heavy right rudder to correct. Tower cleared us to taxiway Charlie and taxi to ramp on his frequency. I reported that I was having control issues. I got the aircraft stopped and tried to turn to the right while adding power and right rudder the aircraft spun to the left. The Tower asked if we needed assistance I said yes or we could get out and push. Tower said stay in aircraft and he would send a tug. I looked out at left main gear and saw the tire was nearly off the rim. I alerted the Tower of my left main gear issue. The aircraft was towed to the FBO. I made sure to check all three tires as part of preflight. I did notice some wear on left main (but flyable) and the right main had been replaced within the last month or two. Nose gear was also in decent shape. All tires were properly inflated. I am not sure if this was a FOD incident during the touch and goes or wear on tire which caused the tire to blowout. The landing was at Vref 40 knots or slightly lower.
C172 pilot reports making several touch and go landings before landing and discovering the left tire is flat. Directional control problems are reported but the aircraft is kept on the runway and stopped.