Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
I was alerted this morning that we had flown a CRJ-200 aircraft with an improperly installed nose wheel tire.  I was told that the right tire was installed incorrectly with the chines facing inward instead of outward.  There was no noticeable change in the aircraft handling on the ground.  Although I did not do the walk around on this flight; there may have been some factors that allowed us to depart with the nose tire incorrectly installed.  The airplane was delayed and there was some time pressure to get back on schedule.  I think the tug was already hooked up to the nose wheel as well and that may have made it more difficult to notice that the wheel was installed incorrectly.  In a discussion after the fact we both realized the function of the chines and how they should have been installed; so this was most likely an oversight error.  This incident is an important reminder that attention to detail; particularly during the preflight; is always essential.
A Captain was informed he had flown a CRJ-200 aircraft with the Right nose wheel tire improperly installed. The chine (tire ring) was found facing inward instead of outward. Pilot noted certain factors may have contributed to the missed chine position that included the aircraft was already delayed; time pressure to get back on schedule and the aircraft tug was already connected to the nose gear.