Incident Overview
On November 17, 2024, about 0945 mountain standard time, a Bombardier Inc. CL-600-2B16 (Challenger 650), registration N247QS, was substantially damaged during a takeoff abort near Jackson, Wyoming. The aircraft, operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91K business flight, carried two pilots and nine passengers; none were injured.
Fuel Load Miscalculation and Taxi Procedure
According to the captain, a load miscalculation required the crew to burn approximately 500 pounds of excess fuel before takeoff to remain under the maximum safe departure weight. The captain informed the primary passenger that the aircraft would pause at the end of the runway to burn off the fuel. However, during taxi, the captain told the first officer he intended to apply power and use the brakes to burn excess fuel, avoiding passenger inconvenience.
The captain reported applying about 65% power while taxiing and about 70% power at the approach end of runway 19. While holding short of the runway, the captain initially set the parking brake but released it after a takeoff configuration warning. He then advanced the power again while holding the brakes for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Takeoff and Abort
After receiving takeoff clearance, the captain taxied onto runway 19 and transferred control to the first officer for the takeoff. The first officer held the brakes for a static takeoff. Upon applying takeoff power and releasing the brakes, the airplane began accelerating. As the airspeed reached about 25 to 30 knots, the crew heard a rumble on the left side of the aircraft.
The captain elected to abort the takeoff, and the first officer executed the abort procedure while the captain notified the air traffic control tower (ATCT) controller. The ATCT controller informed the crew that the left wheel appeared to be on fire.
Evacuation and Damage
After the airplane came to a stop on an adjacent taxiway, the flight crew and passengers evacuated without injury. Photographs of the airplane showed substantial damage to the auxiliary spar and lower wing skin. The source does not specify the extent of fire damage or other details.
Probable Cause
The source does not state a probable cause for this accident.