# NTSB FTW96TA195: Rockwell NA-265-80, N773W, Albuquerque, NM, May 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: May 1, 1996, 21:40 local (May 2, 1996, 03:40 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.060371, -106.620407 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0604&lon=-106.6204&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19998 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96TA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19998/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96TA195 ## Probable cause overdeflection of the left outboard main landing gear tire, probably due to underinflation and inadequate inspection, which resulted in fatigue failure of the left outboard tire and subsequent failure of the left inboard tire. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,tire - pressure too low (cause) - maintenance,inspection - inadequate (contributing factor) - landing gear,tire - fatigue (cause) - landing gear,tire - failure (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The captain was taking off on runway 21 with the wind from 330 degrees at 6 knots. After the airplane had attained about 120 knots and had traversed about half the 10,000 foot runway, the captain aborted the takeoff, when he heard a loud noise and felt a severe vibration. Subsequently, the airplane angled off the departure end of the runway and encountered soft terrain. It came to rest about 300 feet beyond the end of the runway with the nose landing gear collapsed. According to a tire analysis report, the left outboard tire failed in fatigue, followed by the left inboard tire, 'as the result of operation in an overdeflected condition.' The report stated, 'Over-deflection is caused by operating the tire overloaded or underinflated.' ## Factual narrative On May 1, 1996, approximately 2140 mountain daylight time, a Rockwell International NA-265-80, N773W, owned and operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Aviation, was substantially damaged when the pilot aborted takeoff at Albuquerque, New Mexico. There were no injuries to the airline transport rated captain and first officer and three passengers. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company VFR flight plan had been filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the operator, takeoff was initiated on runway 21 (10,000 ft x 150 ft., concrete). Approximately 90 to 100 knots, the aircraft moved to the left of the runway centerline, requiring right aileron correction. When the airplane had achieved approximately 120 knots and was about 5,000 feet down the runway, there was a loud noise followed by a severe vibration, and the airplane pulled hard to the right. The captain initiated aborted takeoff procedures by applying brakes and reverse thrust. The aircraft tracked across and departed the left side of the runway. The nose landing gear collapsed and the aircraft came to a halt 300 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors reported there was evidence that the left main tires blew out at the 3,800-foot mark. At the 5,000-foot mark, the airplane went onto the right shoulder of the runway. At the 9,800-foot mark, the airplane departed the left side of the runway. In addition to the blown left tires, the right tires were found flattened. Three runway lights were also damaged. A Sabreliner Corporation report noted that there was no evidence of failure or malfunction of the aircraft brakes or thrust reversers. According to the Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation, all of the wheel flanges fractured in tensile overload. Although some fatigue cracking was noted in several flange segments, "there was no fractographic evidence to show that these cracks had initiated the primary fractures." Goodyear Aviation Products reported the left outboard tire failed in fatigue, followed by the left inboard tire, "as the result of operation in an overdeflected condition." The report added, "Over-deflection is caused by operating the tire overloaded or underinflated." ## Aircraft - Registration: N773W (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Rockwell NA-265-80 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 380-20 - Airframe hours: 10758 - Engines: GE CF700 4500 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91 - Registered owner: Usda Forest Service Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 8, 1995, 150 hours before - Departed: ABQ - Destination: SAF, SANTA FE, NM - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: ABQ, Albuquerque International, runway 21, 9,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,500 total, 250 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 330° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ABQ ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960501031129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960501031129A), May 1, 1996: Rkwell NA26580, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. Usda aircraft. Aborted takeoff due loud noise. Flew tires. Left runway. Over deflicted under inflated tires. (-23) on may 1, 1996 @ 2140 MDT N773W owned and… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.