Preliminary Report: Tires blew on Learjet

GATES LEARJET 25B, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO., SEPT. 4, 2004–Both tires blew when Learjet N47MR was taking off from Colorado Springs Airport. The Part 135 Lifeguard flight was flown by an ATP pilot. The airplane was substantially damaged but none of the four people on board was injured.

The copilot reported that the airplane began to vibrate on the right side and then the right tire blew. The left tire blew soon after the right tire. He said, “The captain maintained directional control” and the drag chute was deployed. The airplane came to rest at the departure end of Runway 17L. Metal from the landing gear penetrated the wings and the fuselage was wrinkled.