MD-82
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Training / Qualification; Workload; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
While in cruise; we were informed by ATC that the departure airport Tower said that they found tire debris on the runway; and believed it to have come from our airplane on takeoff.  Since all systems were operating normally at that point and the landing gear had already been retracted; I decided to continue to our filed destination.I contacted Dispatch and requested that he contact the departure airport Tower to try to get more information about the debris; especially how much of it there was; in an effort to determine whether more than one tire was affected.  I also asked him to establish a phone patch with MD-80 Maintenance; to see if they had any suggestions.I then declared an emergency with ATC and requested ARFF equipment for the landing at the destination.  I also requested a gear down flyover on Runway XX; so as to allow the Tower to make an observation of our landing gear; in a further attempt to determine the extent of damage; and how many tires were affected.Dispatch then reported back that the departure airport Tower said that the debris appeared to be enough to equal the tread from one tire; but no more than that; and no tire parts other than tread pieces.  Maintenance agreed with my flyover plan; and also suggested caution during the extension of flaps; being alert for unusual roll forces; in case the flaps had been damaged by the shedding of tire tread.  I also asked about the feasibility of taxiing the airplane to the gate after landing; and we decided that it would be safe to do so cautiously; but only after ARFF assessment of the condition of the unaffected tires.  I then briefed the flight attendants and the passengers; emphasizing the fact that we were expecting a normal landing.We then accomplished the gear down flyover at approximately 250 feet (the height of the west Tower); and were told that all tires appeared to be present; which confirmed the departure airport Tower reports that the debris did not appear to be enough to be the remains of an entire tire; but only the tread.We then returned for a normal landing; using minimal braking; and allowing the airplane to roll to a stop on the runway.  We noted only very minor vibration during the early part of the landing rollout; which rapidly decreased to normal levels below 100 KIAS.  Steering and yawing forces were all normal.ARFF confirmed the loss of tread from our #3 main (right inboard) tire; and that all other tires appeared normal.  I then taxied clear of the runway; and asked the ARFF crew to follow us to the gate; maintaining observation of both the affect tire; as well as our other tires; particularly the adjacent one.  We left the flaps extended; in case they had been damaged; even though they had operated normally.  Upon arrival at the gate; we found damage to the flap panel aft of the affected tire; to a panel above and forward of the tire; and also skid marks along the bottom of the right engine nacelle.  One of the mechanics meeting the airplane said that there has been a rash of tire tread failures lately; and not only on the MD-80 fleet; but on others as well.  With that in mind; I have the following questions/comments:1.  Is this correct about tread failures occurring often lately; and if so; what has changed that might be the cause?  Have we changed tire suppliers recently?2.  The QRH does not have a checklist that fits this condition; but it would have been nice to have had one.  Perhaps this could be most easily accomplished by adding to the 'Tire Failure' checklist (which currently only applies during takeoff).  The checklist could include at least the following suggestions: -  Obtain as much information as possible about the condition of the tires from ATC; Dispatch; etc. - Whether or not to use the auto-spoilers. -  Whether or not to use auto-brakes.-   Extend the landing gear earlier than normal during the approach; to verify the ability to extend. -  If unable to extend the affected gear due to damage; reference to the 'Landing With Abnormal Landing Gear Configuration' checklist.-  After landing gear extension; do not retract in case of a go-around (including a planned flyover).-  Be alert for unusual roll forces during flap extension.-  Land with flaps 40 to minimize approach speed; unless abnormal roll is noted during flap extension.-  Leave the flaps extended after landing; in case of unknown damage.-  Land on the longest available runway.-  Use minimum braking.-  Stop the airplane on the runway; and only taxi after assessment by ARFF crew.-  If the affected side is known; land off-center toward the unaffected side; in case of failure of remaining tires during landing rollout.3.  First Officer was excellent in offering suggestions about how to best handle the situation.  We also had a jumpseater; who offered valuable help; but unfortunately I don't have his name or I would mention it here.
A MD-82 tire tread separated on takeoff and was detected by the Tower who notified the crew in flight. An emergency was declared; a Tower flyby conducted; and an uneventful landing accomplished followed by a taxi to the gate.