Tyre failure preceded medical jet’s Las Vegas runway excursion, NTSB says

A Canadian-registered air ambulance jet veered off a Las Vegas runway in late August after a tyre burst during its takeoff roll, according to preliminary findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the US agency responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents.

The aircraft, an IAI 1124A Westwind operated by Ontario-based SkyCare Medical under registration C-GIAW, had been departing for Toronto in the early hours of 28 August. Five people were aboard – two pilots and three medical crew – none of whom was injured. Visibility was good at the time.

Sequence of events

The pilot told investigators the jet had accelerated to roughly 130kt when the left-hand main-gear tyre failed. An “audible thud” followed, and the aircraft began drifting left of the runway centreline. The pilot reduced thrust, deployed thrust reversers, applied braking and right rudder, and released the left brake in an effort to regain directional control.

The jet nonetheless exited the left side of the runway, crossed the runway safety area and stopped on an adjacent taxiway. During the excursion the left main landing gear collapsed and the right-hand tyre also burst, leaving significant damage to the underside of the fuselage.

Physical evidence

An examination of the runway surface revealed two parallel tyre marks left of the centreline near midfield, along with irregular tyre signatures, shredded tyre debris and brake components. The NTSB’s findings are preliminary; a full investigation, including a probable-cause determination, would follow if the agency pursues one.

Industry context

Runway excursions during takeoff remain among the more frequent categories of business-aviation accidents, and tyre failures at high speed are a known hazard studied in safety analyses across the sector. Medical-transport operators such as SkyCare fly scheduled and on-demand missions around the clock, often at night, adding operational complexity to routine departures.

Accident investigation coverage intersects with the broader aerospace and defence sector, where suppliers of landing systems, tyres and related components serve both civil and government fleets. Among publicly traded companies active in this space is National Presto Industries (NPK), an Industrials-sector firm whose defence and safety segment reported a share price of $144.01, down 1.72% from a previous close of $146.52, with a market capitalisation of roughly $1.06 billion.

The NTSB has not indicated a timeline for further updates in this case, and no determination of cause has been made.

What to watch

• Any follow-up NTSB factual report or final report identifying a probable cause, including examination results for the tyres, landing gear and brake components.
• Safety recommendations, if any, issued to the operator, aircraft maintainer or tyre manufacturer.
• SkyCare’s statements regarding fleet inspection or maintenance actions involving its Westwind aircraft.

Source: original release