Preliminiary Report: Falcon Skids on Takeoff

Dassault Falcon 20C, Eagle, Colo., Jan. 8, 2010–The Mexican-registered twinjet suffered substantial damage when it skidded off the runway during an aborted takeoff attempt. According to the airport manager and the Falcon’s captain, the left main gear tire “blew” during the departure roll, and the captain was unable to stop the aircraft in the distance remaining. The jet continued 400 feet beyond the end of the runway before coming to rest in deep snow. The right main gear leg failed, the left leg bent, and the right wing buckled. None of the seven people on board was injured.