Incident Details
After landing at San Juan, the aircraft was parked at the customs area, then towed to gate 15 and loaded for the next flight. The push-back maneuver required the crew to taxi to the general aviation parking area and turn around before proceeding to runway 8 for departure. When cleared for takeoff, the wind was from 160 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 22 knots.
At approximately 120 knots during the takeoff roll, a loud rumbling sound occurred that increased rapidly, followed by vibrations. At approximately the V1 speed of 141 knots, the captain rejected the takeoff using maximum braking. Unable to stop on the remaining runway, he angled the aircraft to the safest area. The flight engineer's back was injured as the aircraft hit the runway end identifier lights (REIL) system. The aircraft stopped with its nose in a lagoon.
Emergency Response
Due to trees, water, the aircraft's attitude, and one accidental disarming, only 4 of 8 emergency slides were used during the evacuation.
Tire Analysis
A laboratory analysis indicated that the #7 tire had failed due to low inflation, most likely from foreign object damage (FOD). During the abort, its companion tire failed from overload. Black marks on the taxiway revealed that the #7 tire started losing pressure while the aircraft was taxiing.