Light Sport Aircraft
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 42; Flight Crew Total 1.0; Flight Crew Type 330
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Aircraft
Approximately 1-2 seconds after touching down on [Runway] XXR at [ZZZ] in a normal wheel landing; the airplane began to shake consistent with a flat left main tire. The tube inside the tire was losing air rapidly and the airplane began to sag to the left. Because the leak did not result in an IMMEDIATE; completely flat tire; I was able to retain directional control of the plane during rollout. Only when the plane reached a very slow speed was the tire finally so flat that directional control was no longer possible. The plane stopped roughly 10 feet off centerline; about 300 feet short of Taxiway B at [ZZZ]. It was not possible to taxi; applying engine power simply pivoted the airplane around the flat left main tire. I advised the Tower Controller of my situation and was told to shut down the aircraft in position and work the Airport Operations team to remove the plane. Because no suitable towing equipment was available for tailwheel aircraft; we changed the tube on the runway and taxied the airplane to parking uneventfully. No damage occurred to the plane or the airport. No injuries occurred. Upon inspection of the failed tube; a small tear was found at the base of the valve stem; where it joins the rubber of the tube itself. It is likely that when the wheel touched pavement; the tube shifted and the rubber at the base of the valve stem 'pinched' against the hole in the rim through which the valve stem protrudes; resulting in the tear. The tire itself had been replaced approximately 6 months ago and had about 40 hours of flight time. The tube in the tire had been in service for approximately 1 year; or about XXX hours of flight time.
Light sport pilot reported flat tire on landing rollout.