Story ID: 
Tires Blew before Learjet Crashed
By: AIN Staff
Caption: The NTSB said both main tires blew before the Learjet 60 (N999LJ) overran Runway 11 and crashed while taking off from Columbia (S.C.) Metropolitan Airport 
Word Count: 143
The NTSB said both main tires blew before the Learjet 60 (N999LJ) overran Runway 11 and crashed while taking off from Columbia (S.C.) Metropolitan Airport just before midnight on September 19. The two crewmembers and two passengers were killed; two other passengers suffered serious injuries and have recovered. The first piece of tire debris was located about 2,300 feet beyond the start of the runway, and runway surface scarring from both main gear wheel rims started at about the 5,200-foot mark, the NTSB revealed late last month. The main landing gear pistons and wheel sets with the brake assemblies were found about 150 feet beyond the end of the runway with scarcely any rubber other than tire beads. Preliminary examination of the right PW305A engine revealed a high power setting, and the thrust reversers were found in the retracted/stowed positions. The NTSB is investigating.