airtraffic

Author Topic: Blown tire on take off - West Jet 1862 returns to CYVR Dec 31, 2009  (Read 18689 times)

Offline pouda99

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On Dec 31st, 2009 at 11:41 PST West Jet flight 1862 (B737-800) departed Vancouver (CYVR) for Honolulu (PHNL). A nearby Air Canada flight crew spotted tire debris on the runway following the West Jet departure. Runway 08R was immediately closed causing at least one aircraft on final to pull up. About 90 minutes out over the Pacific, 1862 turned back to Vancouver, arriving uneventfully just after 16:00 PST.  It came to a full stop on runway 08R where it was inspected before being allowed to taxi to the gate.
 
This is my first effort at editing and posting an ATC clip, so for my own learning I tried to capture what I could find gate-to-gate related to this incident in the YVR archives from Dec 31 1900Z to Jan 1 0030Z. It's not nearly as dramatic as some of the other clips posted to this forum but hey, it is my first attempt.
 
What I found particularly interesting was the pull up of the aircraft on final when the tire debris was reported. I was also intrigued by the on-scene  presence of Rescue 901, which I believe is the call sign for a Canadian Air Force CH-149 Cormorant helicopter from 442 Squadron 19 Wing out of Comox, BC. I guess they do a standby because of the possibility of water rescue.
 
There are a few things I'm wondering about. Why so long for 1862 to turn back? Were they on the line with Company trying to figure out what to do, or just burning off fuel?  I note two holding patterns on the FlightAware track. Were these done to burn off/dump fuel or just a standard part of ATC arrival sequencing? The pilot does reference the amount of fuel on board in one of his transmissions. 

David

Media Report
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5g1gDvrd8dL8sN6QGF6ricA6qXykw

FlightAware Track
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/WJA1862/history/20091231/1813Z/CYVR/CYVR

Call sign Rescue 901, 442 Squadron 19 Wing Comox
http://www.airforce.dnd.ca/19w-19e/nr-sp/index-eng.asp?id=5147



Offline ect76

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Re: Blown tire on take off - West Jet 1862 returns to CYVR Dec 31, 2009
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2010, 03:46:38 PM »
I would hazard a guess that they stayed out a while to burn off fuel as, as far as I'm aware, the 738 doesn't have the facility to dump and they'd probably be relatively heavy for a flight to Hawaii hence the holding patterns!

Edit - It looks like they went round the first hold three times and the second hold 4 so definitely trying to burn off!
« Last Edit: January 02, 2010, 03:48:28 PM by ect76 »

kea001

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Re: Blown tire on take off - West Jet 1862 returns to CYVR Dec 31, 2009
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2010, 07:12:28 PM »
Great clip. I guess the only way to get an ambulance these days is to be on an airplane.





Ambulances line up waiting for WestJet flight making an emergency landing at Vancouver airport Thursday, after the plane had to return due to a blown tire.

« Last Edit: January 02, 2010, 07:13:59 PM by kea001 »

Offline rtav

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Re: Blown tire on take off - West Jet 1862 returns to CYVR Dec 31, 2009
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2010, 04:04:30 PM »
Awesome job compiling the clip.