A320
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 18000; Flight Crew Type 4500
Situational Awareness; Human-Machine Interface; Training / Qualification; Confusion; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General Declared Emergency
Company Policy; Human Factors; Manuals
We did not notice anything out of the ordinary during the takeoff roll. After reaching cruise altitude; approximately 30 minutes after takeoff; we were contacted by ATC and told that tire debris had been found on the runway after we departed but they were not sure if it had been from our aircraft. We talked to the flight attendants who reported that they did not notice anything unusual during the takeoff roll. We then contacted Dispatch who started coordinating research to see if we could find out if it was indeed our aircraft that had blown a tire. While waiting for Dispatch to find out more information I got out my iPad to look in our flight manuals to see if there were any procedures to follow. When I opened the contents page I noticed all the manuals were grayed out and I was unable to select anything. My iPad was fully charged. Then the contents went to a blue screen and I was unable to access anything within it. The rest of the iPad applications were working fine. I restarted my iPad at least 6 or 7 times. While doing so the First Officer and I shared his iPad. The contents page finally started working after the last restart. This is completely unacceptable. In this occurrence we had the luxury of time; however that is not always the case. We perused the flight manuals but could find no guidance at all about blown tires. I knew the aircraft we were on had WIFI so I paid for that and started doing Google searches to see if there was any good information on line. Dispatch contacted us and told us the Flight Operations Manager recommended a fly by [at our destination] so that the Tower could inspect the wheels. I told him that it was my understanding that fly bys are frowned upon. The Dispatcher even found a section of the Flight Operations Manual that specifically discourages this. I decided to email my Chief Pilot; a manager at the training center; and my husband (an Airbus captain) to solicit their input. Everyone agreed a fly by was not a good idea and so we did not do one. WIFI is a valuable resource for us and should be accessible while enroute. An hour out we could not be certain which aircraft had blown the tire so we decided; in the interest of safety; to declare an emergency; land on the longest runway into the wind; and have the fire trucks standing by. I did not prep the cabin but did inform the flight attendants of the situation and had them review their evacuation procedures. An uneventful approach and landing ensued. We stopped on the runway and made a PA for everyone to remain in their seats. The firemen inspected our aircraft and saw nothing amiss so we cleared the runway and taxied to the gate.
When an A320 flight crew was advised tire rubber on their departure runway may have come from their aircraft; the Captain was unable to access associated material on her iPad and utilized email; WIFI and Google media access in search of assistance. Ultimately; they elected not to do a fly by and landed without incident at their destination under a precautionary emergency declaration.