ATR 42
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Declared Emergency; General Evacuated; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure
Upon leveling off at 12;000 FT MSL; Departure Control informed the crew that they have an unconfirmed report of a tire falling off the aircraft during takeoff. The report was from someone at the passenger terminal. There was no indication from inside the aircraft and the crew elected to continue on. The crew discussed the situation and planned to do a low approach in the landing configuration; so the Control Tower could verify a missing tire. The low approach was not conducted below 200 FT AGL and the Tower verified a missing left nose wheel. A previously briefed go-around was conducted and the crew requested to hold away from the airport to burn off fuel. The crew declared an emergency and held for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. During this time; the Captain coordinated with Company Dispatch; Maintenance; and ATC for our arrival. The crew planned to commence the visual approach when reaching 1;500 LBS fuel on board. The flight landed without incident and stopped on the runway. The crew accomplished the On Ground/Emergency Evacuation Checklist and pulled the CVR/PWR Circuit Breaker to preserve data. The crew evacuated the aircraft and was met by crash/fire rescue personnel. The landing gear was pinned and the aircraft was towed to parking.
ATR42 Captain is informed by ATC during climb that a ground observer saw a tire fall from his aircraft after takeoff. A low approach is made at the destination airport and the Tower confirms that the left nose wheel is missing. After burning down to 1;500 LBS of fuel an uneventful approach and landing ensues with an evacuation on the runway.