A Skywest Bombardier CRJ-900 operating under the Delta Airlines Connection brand experienced a tire blowout during its takeoff roll at Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) on Saturday, July 13, 2024. Despite the incident, the aircraft, operating as Delta Air Lines Flight 4095, continued its flight and landed safely at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) without further complications. The flight, offering nonstop service between GRR and MSP, lasted 70 minutes from takeoff to landing.
According to reports, the tire burst occurred during takeoff from runway 26L at GRR. While the exact cause of the blowout remains unclear, the runway has a usable distance of 10,001 feet (3,048 meters). The crew opted to continue the takeoff despite the tire blowout, likely due to the failure occurring during the high-speed regime of the takeoff (over 100 knots). At such high speeds, rejecting the takeoff could be more dangerous than continuing. The flight’s relatively short distance of 471 miles also factored into this decision.
Upon landing at MSP, a post-flight inspection revealed damage to the inboard flaps. The severity of the damage was minor enough that it did not affect the safe operation of the aircraft. The aircraft, a 3.4-year-old Bombardier CRJ-900 and the last of its kind produced, returned to service just 21 hours after the incident, indicating the damage was minimal.
Aircraft tires are engineered to withstand massive loads, stresses, and temperature fluctuations. They support hundreds of tonnes while being dragged at high speeds and are built with multiple fortifying compounds, such as Kevlar. These tires are also inflated to high pressures, typically around 200 psi, which is roughly a quarter of their design limitation of 800 psi. To prevent explosions during heavy braking, aircraft tires are equipped with fusible plugs. These plugs contain a material that melts and allows air pressure to escape in a controlled manner, deflating the tire over time.
Despite their robust design, aircraft tires can burst for various reasons. One primary reason is that aircraft tires can be retreaded multiple times to save costs. A tire can be retreaded up to seven times as long as its core components remain in good condition. However, the core degrades over time, which can lead to failures and bursts. Debris on the runway can also cause tire damage, leading to structural failure and explosions.
Although tire bursts are rare, they usually result in benign outcomes, as demonstrated by this incident with the Skywest CRJ-900. Skywest and Delta have been contacted for a statement regarding the incident. The quick return to service of the aircraft underscores the minor nature of the damage and the effectiveness of their maintenance protocols.
The tire blowout incident involving the Skywest Bombardier CRJ-900 highlights the robustness of modern aircraft design and the expertise of flight crews in handling such situations. Despite the tire burst during takeoff, the flight proceeded safely to its destination, and the aircraft returned to service shortly after. This incident serves as a testament to the rigorous safety standards and protocols in place in the aviation industry.
