Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
On the takeoff roll as we approached the Vr speed we started to develop a strong vibration. I could tell it was from the nose gear; when I rotated the vibration continued and then I saw what appeared to be a piece of tire fly up and over the windshield. I realized that we had blown at least one nose tire. I continued the climb and let the First Officer know what I had seen. He called positive rate; not knowing the full extent of the damage to the nose gear I elected to keep the gear down. I called for speed mode and continued.The First Officer notified the Tower that we had lost a tire on the runway and should look for debris. I requested delay vectors and advised of our situation. ATC reported back that they had found tire debris on the runway. We leveled off at 5;000 and I kept the speed at 200 knots. I advised the flight attendants what had happened and to remain seated. After discussing the situation with the First Officer we knew we had lost at least one tire. Approach offered a low approach and would see if they were able to look at the nose gear. We contacted Dispatch via ACARS and Maintenance via local radio; but the signal was very week and broken.I told ATC that we would like to try the low approach. I briefed the passengers and flight attendants. We proceeded and performed a low approach. Upon climb a couple aircraft said they could see tires. Tower informed us that they got reports that we did not have any tires left on the nose. With conflicting reports we went with worse case situation. I informed ATC that we were going to proceed with emergency landing after we burnt enough fuel to get under our max landing weight. I briefed the flight attendants and informed her that we would be bracing in case the nose wheel would collapse upon landing. I informed dispatch and maintenance again. We ran the QRH for landing with gear unsafe or unknown situations.I touched down as softly as I could on the main and held the nose off as long as possible. The aircraft had a very strong vibration and was pulling to the left. I kept the aircraft on the center line and brought it to a complete stop. We were met with fire crews and inspected the aircraft. We learned we did have one tire left on the nose. We elected to taxi slowly off the runway and pulled into the west hardstand. Operations informed us that buses were already requested and to park in the stand. We secured the aircraft and the passengers were taken off and bused back to the terminal. Maintenance was already at the plane and informed they were taking it to the hangar.From talking to Maintenance it appears the aircraft did not sustain any damage other than the failed tire.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
CRJ-200 flight crew reported that during the takeoff roll; one nose gear tire failed right at rotation speed. Flight got airborne; but after assessing the damage the Captain decided to return to the departure airport. The aircraft stopped straight ahead on the runway and shut down.