Incident Overview
On 15 January 2005, a Learjet 35A (registration ZS-SES) was engaged in a domestic charter flight from Air Force Base Waterkloof Aerodrome to Umtata Aerodrome. At approximately 0945Z, the aircraft taxied to Runway 01 for departure. During the takeoff roll at approximately 125 knots, the crew experienced severe vibrations from the left-hand side of the aircraft, and the aircraft started to veer to the left. The crew elected to abort the takeoff and managed to keep the runway heading. The aircraft came to rest at the threshold of Runway 19. The aircraft tyres and the antiskid system were subsequently damaged. The passengers and crew sustained no injuries.
Meteorological Conditions
The weather at the time included wind direction 10°C, temperature 17°C, and recent rain was clearing.
Probable Cause
The most probable cause was attributed to a burst tyre which severed the antiskid electrical wires with its debris. The cause of the outboard tyre failure could not be conclusively determined; however, the cause of the inboard tyre was due to overload and friction caused by the failure of the outboard tyre and the antiskid.