What was found
AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING MANEUVERED BY HAND INTO ITS PARKING SPOT, THE LT MAIN TIRE WENT FLAT. THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED WITH A SERVICEABLE BUILT UP WHEEL ASSEMBLY. THE AFFECTED TUBE WAS INSTALLED AS PART OF A BUILT-UP WHEEL ASSEMBLY ON 9/7/2013 AND HAD SINCE ACCRUED 181 HOURS TIME IN SERVICE. THIS REPAIR STATION HAS EXPERIENCED A NUMBER OF TIRE TUBE FAILURES WITHIN THE PAST 6 WEEKS; THESE FAILURES OCCURRED DURING NORMAL OPERATION OR WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS STANDING. THE MAJORITY OF FAILED TUBES ARE PN 092-315-0 TUBES. INSPECTION OF FAILED TUBES REVEALS SMALL, ELONGATED HOLES OR TEARS THAT ARE NOT LOCATED ON A SEAM IN THE RUBBER. THE HOLES ARE LOCATED ON THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF THE TUBE WHEN LAID FLAT. THE AFFECTED TUBES ARE INSTALLED IN 600X6X6PR TIRES, ARE SERVICED WITH 18 OR 24 PSI OF DRY NITROGEN, AND ARE INSTALLED ON ACFT THAT OPERATE BETWEEN 2100 AND 2500 LBS. THE REPAIR STATION LOCATION HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CHANGES THAT WOULD AFFECT INFLATION PRESSURE.