Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 40; Flight Crew Total 17000; Flight Crew Type 1200
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related; Weather; Human Factors
Normal approach with slightly higher final approach speed due to large wind/gusts spread reported as 7 knots gusting to 18 knots. Upon smooth touch down noticed there was almost no wind but a few seconds later; while braking was already in progress a strong gust slightly lifted the left wing allowing the left wheel to lock up and blow out the tire and tube. I tried to quickly leave the runway at a taxiway but the resulting 'curling' of the tire on the rim created a strong left pull which was impossible to counteract so that the airplane just went off the taxiway edge into the grass area.There was no damage other than the tire and tube. Lesson learned for this type airplane with the small main wheels particularly with gusty conditions one should delay ANY braking until the airspeed drops significantly to prevent locking of the wheel by the brake; no matter how much the Tower would like to expedite leaving the runway for traffic behind. The slightly higher airspeed due to gusty conditions with braking initiated just a tad too soon; was the reason for the wheel lock.
C182 Pilot reported a runway excursion following a tire failure due to excessive braking during landing.