A blown tire usually isn’t cause for much alarm

Question: If a tire blows out on the runway, what is the normal course of action? — Coleman M., Tampa Answer: Most modern airliners have more than a single tire on a landing gear. The tires are designed to take the load if the companion tire is compromised. If the pilots know a tire has failed during takeoff at low speed, they will abort the takeoff. At high speed they will go ahead and take off, then return to land for a safety inspection. If the tire fails during landing, a normal landing is conducted.

Q: When a plane blows a tire on takeoff, why do they return to the airport? Could they not fly to their destination and change the tire then instead of dumping fuel and returning ?

— Glenn Wantz, Santa Ana, Calif.

A: The flight crew cannot know if the tire has caused any additional damage to the airplane. In some cases the landing gear is left extended to prevent the tire casing (if it is still attached) from becoming lodged in the wheel well. The more conservative action is to return to the airport.

Q: How does the pilot know when a tire has burst upon takeoff ?

— C.B., Sydney

A: Often the airport authority will advise air-traffic control of tire parts being found on the runway. This can be reported by the next aircraft taking off.

There are a few airplanes that will inform the pilot of a tire causing damage to protective screens in the wheel wells, but most airplanes do not advise the pilot of a burst tire.

Q: How much air pressure is in the landing gear tires on big jets?

— Jerry, Sarasota, Fla.

A: It varies, but with most airliners it is more than 200psi. But tires on airplanes are filled with nitrogen, not air.

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