Learjet 55
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 110; Flight Crew Total 2515; Flight Crew Type 392
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Excursion Runway
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
We had a blown tire on takeoff with minimal damage and no one was hurt. I was pilot not flying in the right seat that day. We arrived at the FBO early afternoon local time. The aircraft was in the hangar due to freezing temperatures that night. We both did the exterior preflight in the hangar and the tires were in good condition and fairly new. The takeoff weight was 18;000 LBS. We had pretty light takeoff weight due to the short 20 minute flight for repositioning. The Captain started the engines and ran the appropriate checklist and began taxi to 17. After a few minutes we were told to 'line up and wait'. There was an airliner that had just departed prior to these instructions. We do not recall what kind but agree it was not a 'heavy'. When cleared for takeoff the Captain advanced levers to takeoff power and we began rolling. At 60 KTS I called 'airspeed alive' and all still seemed normal. Shortly after; we both started feeling a vibration; probably 90-100 KTS. We began the abort and during so I called Tower to let them know. We both suspect one right main tire was blown because the aircraft maintained directional control while slowing down. Captain deployed spoilers and used smooth breaking and thrust reverser to aid in stopping. At some point the second tire blew and at about 10 KTS; the aircraft started to veer to the left. We believe we left the runway at about 5 KTS; it was almost a walking pace. We came to rest in the grass and contacted Tower to let them know our position. As well as informing them of possible debris on the runway. Upon stopping we shut down the aircraft and as suspected both right main tires were gone; and we did not hit anything. The Tower sent emergency trucks but nobody was injured and the airplane was at rest in the grass. After inspecting the aircraft further we noticed a cut in the flap and some bent fan blades due to debris from the tire blowing. The damage was due to the tires blowing and not due to leaving the runway. The Captain then called our Director of Operations and Director of Maintenance to inform them of what happened. He also explained what happened to our Principle Operations inspector for the FAA. The FAA arrived during this time and proceeded to make copies of our license and medicals and aircraft registration. After gathering the information they finished their paperwork. They did not need anything else and exchanged phone numbers in case they needed anything else. We all said thank you and goodbye. After this we began figuring out how Maintenance could turn the aircraft back to the maintenance facility. We then got a ride to the local drug and alcohol testing site and received our drug tests. After that we were told there was nothing left to do; so proceed back to the hotel. We airline'd home the following day.
A LR55's right tires failed during takeoff causing a directional control issue so that after the rejected takeoff the aircraft exited the runway at a very slow speed and during post flight engine damage from tire FOD was discovered.