Accident Summary
An aircraft operating on runway 32 experienced a loud bang and vibrations during its takeoff roll at a speed of 140 knots. The flight crew decided to abort the takeoff and successfully brought the aircraft to a stop before the end of the runway. All 19 occupants evacuated the aircraft, which was subsequently destroyed by fire.
Sequence of Events
The accident occurred during the takeoff roll. At a speed of 140 knots, the crew heard a loud bang followed by vibrations. In response, the decision was made to reject the takeoff. The crew managed to stop the aircraft before reaching the end of the runway. Following the stop, a fire broke out and quickly destroyed the aircraft. All occupants evacuated safely.
Cause
According to the official investigation by the NASA Aircraft Accident Investigation Board, the probable cause of the accident was the nearly simultaneous failure of the two front tires on the right main landing gear at a critical time during the takeoff roll. These failures resulted in the pilot's decision to reject the takeoff. Contributing to the severity of the accident was an intense fire fed by leakage from the puncture of a right-wing fuel tank forward of the right main gear; the puncture occurred during the intentional extended rollout of the aircraft.