Westwind medevac jet burst tyre before Las Vegas runway excursion
A Canadian-registered IAI Westwind ambulance jet left the runway at Las Vegas after a tyre failed during its night departure for Toronto, US investigators found. None of the five people on board was hurt.
A medical executive jet ran off the side of a runway in Las Vegas last month after a tyre failed during the take-off roll, according to preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board.
The aircraft, a Canadian-registered IAI 1124A Westwind, was bound for Toronto in the early hours of 28 August. The pilot told investigators the jet had reached about 130kt when the left main-gear tyre burst. There was a loud thud and the aircraft began turning left.
The pilot pulled back thrust, deployed the thrust reversers, applied brakes and put in right rudder, according to the board's preliminary account. The pilot then released the left brake to try to regain control. The jet still left the runway on its left side, crossed the runway safety area and stopped on a taxiway beside it.
The left main gear collapsed and the right tyre burst as well. The underside of the fuselage was significantly damaged.
Five people were on board: two pilots and three medical crew. None was injured. Visibility at the time was good.
The board said examiners found two parallel tyre marks near the middle of the runway, left of the centreline, along with irregular tyre marks, pieces of shredded tyre and brake components.
The aircraft, registration C-GIAW, was operated by SkyCare of Ontario.
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Sources
- flightglobal.comWestwind ambulance suffered burst tyre before damaging Las Vegas excursion