What was found
THIS TUBE-TYPE MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRE WAS INSTALLED AND OPERATED FOR 390 FLIGHT HOURS. ESTIMATE 290 LANDINGS. THE TIRE WAS FOUND TO HAVE BULGES ON THE EDGE OF THE TREAD AREA. THESE BULGES FEEL LIKE AIR POCKETS BETWEEN THE TREAD AND THE CORD. THE TIRE WAS DEFLATED AND REMOVED FOR INSPECTION AND VERIFIED TO HAVE SEPARATION OF THE TREAD APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH WIDE BY 10 INCHES LONG. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW UNIT.