Date: 202012
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Cessna 170
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: None
Mission: Training
Flight phase: Landing
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Main Gear Tire
Component problem: Failed
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Trainee
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Training / Qualification
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; Instructor
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Taxi
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: This was my first flight at the controls of a tail wheel aircraft. I was in the left seat receiving flight instruction from the CFI in the right seat. A thorough pre-takeoff briefing including experience levels and positive transfer of controls was accomplished before departure.As we approached ZZZ; we briefed the fact there was a right crosswind with gusts and the appropriate actions to take regarding this. The approach was stabilized. A normal wheel landing was accomplished and the tail was successfully lowered to the ground. The left main tire failed; at which point the instructor stated 'my airplane' and I released the controls. The resulting swerve was not controllable and the airplane ground looped approximately 150 degrees; coming to rest on the runway. We immediately shut down the aircraft and exited. No propeller or wingtip contact with the runway occurred. The aircraft remained on the runway. No injuries occurred.


Second narrative: The mission was to fly with 2 friends and give them tail wheel instruction. There was a crosswind from the right and we discussed crosswind correction and the plan. [The pilot flying] conducted the wheel landing and shortly after putting the tail down; the airplane started shaking violently. I thought this may have initially been a tail wheel shimmy; which was odd since it didn't shimmy since the tail wheel springs were replaced in month; but the airplane started veering to the left so I announced 'my controls' and corrected it with right rudder. The shaking got worse and the plane then swung around to the right and ground looped. The wings did not contact the surface and there was no prop strike. The airplane was then towed to the hangar where I worked with a mechanic to change the wheel and tire so that the plane could be moved while inside the hangar. I did identify some contributing factors. There was a strong right crosswind; it was my student's first landing; and I had previous issues with my tires slipping on grooved runways. They are 8.50 oversize tires. I do believe the left main tire went flat on landing; and with the strong crosswind and delay of taking the controls from my student; it was unrecoverable. I'm filling out this report to detail human factors issues that contributed to damage to my precious airplane; and as the investigation unfolds it will determine if there is need for additional caution when using larger tires.


Synopsis: Cessna 170 student pilot and instructor reported the aircraft experienced a flat tire upon landing and ground looped.