Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
After a normal departure and climb to FL270 we had been at cruise for approximately 25 minutes. During an assigned vector standard rate turn to the left we observed a loud banging sound coming from the left nose wheel area. The sound and banging increased in intensity. I contacted the Flight Attendant and she informed me that she heard and also felt vibrations at her station. We reduced thrust and airspeed to approximately 200 KTS but the banging sound continued. No abnormal engine or systems indications. We were unable to determine the cause of the sound and I declared an emergency. Getting the aircraft on the ground was a priority as we did not know if there was a possible structural problem that could affect flight control. We got a clearance to proceed to our divert airport and initiate descent to 2;000. At this time we where approximately 30 miles from the divert airport. Our destination was experiencing bad weather and was never an option considering the situation. Once we initiated the descent the loud banging sound began to subside. The Flight Attendant was briefed and I spoke to the passengers informing them of a problem that required us to land. I also reminded them to pay attention to flight attendant instructions in the unlikely event of an evacuation. On final approach I asked the Tower Controller to see if he could see anything unusual with regard to the aircraft or landing gear. He was not able to see anything. The aircraft touched down smoothly with a minimal descent rate. Aircraft came to a stop on run way and no abnormal indications observed. I elected to move the aircraft off the runway and requested we stop at a area that would allow emergency vehicles to inspect the aircraft. Coordinating with ATC/ Maintenance and/Emergency personnel. We where informed no visible damage to nose gear or nose wheel area was observed but instead they informed us that the left inboard main was blown out. After conferring with company Maintenance and my First Officer I decided the best plan of action was to deplane the aircraft at the gate since there was no threat to aircraft or passengers to do so. Company SOP's where followed and we ran the appropriate checklists. After deplaning neither myself nor any crew member spoke to anyone other than company and authorities. My only contact with any passengers was comments directed toward us; commending us for safely getting them on the ground. I was contacted by the company via telephone and I explained the nature of the emergency and course of action taken. Possible structural/aircraft integrity was questioned. I feel that my crew and I followed company SOP as well as prepared the aircraft; ATC and passengers as much as possible considering the nature of the problem. I would like to add that my First Officer and Flight Attendant did a very good job performing their duties. Their performance was paramount to the positive outcome of this event. I would follow the same course of action if faced with a similar situation.
During cruise flight an EMB-145 main landing gear tire exploded which resulted in material loudly banging the fuselage; so without knowing the sound's source; an emergency was declared and flight diverted to a nearby airport.