On September 21, 1987, a Gates Learjet 36A (registration N900MD) operated by Flight International, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Tyndall Afb, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of a left main gear wheel rim. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A rejected takeoff due to an explosive sound from a left main gear wheel rim failure led to a runway overrun. The aircraft struck the capture barrier.
Event Overview
During takeoff roll, the captain heard an explosive sound, felt the aircraft swerve, and observed debris from a main wheel rim and brake being thrown forward. The captain rejected the takeoff at 124 knots. The aircraft continued down the runway, barely controllable and without wheel brakes, then collided with the capture barrier and overran the runway.
Cause Attribution
The operator attributed the explosive sound to failure of one of the left main gear wheel rims. A brake line on the left gear was severed during the occurrence.
Sequence Details
The captain aborted the takeoff after hearing the explosive sound, feeling the aircraft swerve, and seeing debris from a main wheel rim and brake being thrown forward.
The aircraft continued down the runway, barely controllable and without wheel brakes.
It then collided with the capture barrier at the end of the runway and overran the runway.
Damage
The aircraft sustained damage from the wheel rim failure, severed brake line, and collision with the capture barrier. No further details are specified.