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When I got a tire/wheel issue during takeoff, how should I execute the rejected takeoff procedure? Is it different than the typical rejected takeoff procedure for an engine out that is applying the max brake?

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    $\begingroup$ Are you asking for something like a PA44 or an A380? $\endgroup$
    – Ben
    Commented Aug 10, 2020 at 5:33
  • $\begingroup$ Could I know what are the differences? $\endgroup$
    – VvV
    Commented Aug 10, 2020 at 5:58

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With smaller planes, if you blow a tire on takeoff and have enough runway left to abort, then you should do so. Staying on the ground can be a much better option than a go-around and landing with a flat. Chop that throttle and “fly” the aircraft until it comes to full stop. That said, there will be certain issues to consider based on which wheel is the problem.

On a tricycle gear plane, popping a main will generally cause the plane to pull in that direction, and standing on the brakes aggressively can make it worse. It may require more gentle braking to maintain directional control and avoid going off the side of the runway, and this will, of course, increase stopping distance. If it’s the nose wheel that goes, directional control may be erratic and it might help to hold aft yoke to take some weight off the front gear as you apply brakes. If the plane has differential braking, you might be able to steer the plane with more authority by using stiffer pressure on one brake-side or the other.

If you’re in a taildragger, you may be straight out of luck. Keep those brake inputs punchy, and hopefully you can avoid a ground loop.

Most modern airliners have multiple tires on each landing gear strut, and the tires are designed to handle the load if one of the tires is compromised.

If the pilots know a tire has failed during takeoff at low speed, they will abort the takeoff using a prescribed procedure. At high speed, they will typically take off, perform a go-around, and return to land for a safety inspection.

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    $\begingroup$ If the crew of an airliner knows that a tire has blown during the takeoff roll too late to reject the takeoff, they will not retract the landing gear since a blown tire can distort and cause the gear to be jammed in the wheel well. $\endgroup$
    – Raffles
    Commented Aug 10, 2020 at 12:04
  • $\begingroup$ I was wondering, I guess all modern airliners have some sort of detector in each and every tire that knows about blowouts? (And perhaps tire pressure generally??) Or no? $\endgroup$
    – Fattie
    Commented Aug 10, 2020 at 12:47
  • $\begingroup$ @Fattie: Many modern airliners may have some version of a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) or tire pressure indicator system (TPIS), but not all of them. Plenty still rely on feel, abnormal brake temperature readings or outside observation to diagnose a problem. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 10, 2020 at 13:27
  • $\begingroup$ @AaronHolmes - thanks, fascinating $\endgroup$
    – Fattie
    Commented Aug 10, 2020 at 14:51

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