Like birdstrikes, tires blowing are rare but happen from time to time. Again, like birdstrikes, when it does happen, it is usually a non-event (assuming a plane with multiple tires). But, as we know from the “Miracle on the Hudson,” a rare event can occasionally cause a serious accident.
In 2000, on one of the last flights of the Concord, a tire blew on takeoff, which led to a catastrophic event. However, the tire had blown because it ran over debris on the runway, which also punctured a wing tank and caused a fire. So, technically, it wasn’t necessarily “caused” by the blown tire.
The frequency of aircraft tire bursts is a rare occurrence and most tire bursts happen during takeoff rather than landing. The probability of a tire burst during takeoff is about 1 in 10,000, and during landing is about 1 in 100,000.
So aircraft tire bursts are not very common, but they can still pose a risk to the aircraft and its occupants. That is why aircraft tires are checked before every takeoff for wear and potential damage, and they are replaced regularly to ensure optimal performance and safety.
“In my 40 years of flying, I (knock on wood) have never had a blown tire on takeoff, landing, or inflight. (A good preflight inspection helps to alleviate this. If a weak tire is spotted, Maintenance can replace the tire before it goes.)” – Eric Auxier (777 Captain)
