American Airlines plane blows 2 tires while taxiing for takeoff at O’Hare airport, FAA says

CHICAGO — An American Airlines flight bound for Charlotte was delayed Wednesday after the aircraft experienced a tire issue while taxiing for departure at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, according to the airline and federal aviation officials.

American Airlines said Flight 3280 had pushed back from the gate when the problem was discovered. The Federal Aviation Administration said the crew reported two blown tires while taxiing for departure at about 2:30 p.m. There were no reports of injuries.

Video from the airfield showed Chicago Fire Department personnel responding to the aircraft. Passengers were seen deplaning via stairs and boarding a bus.

Air traffic control communications provided additional details about the incident.

“We were just dispatched to you. We understand you’ve got, I can see two right blown tires on your main gear and you guys are going to deplane out here. Is that correct?” an air traffic controller said.

Later in the exchange, the controller asked, “So you guys were getting ready to leave is that correct?”

A response heard on the recording said, “An aircraft behind us saw that there were pieces of the tire.”

The incident was the fifth involving blown aircraft tires in Chicago this month and the fourth at O’Hare. None of the incidents resulted in reported injuries. The occurrences have involved United, American and Southwest aircraft that were landing, taking off or preparing for departure.

Last week, the commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation told 7 the agency was working with the FAA and other airlines to investigate the incidents. However, no clear explanation has yet been identified.

American Airlines said passengers from Flight 3280 were placed on another aircraft bound for Charlotte.

American Airlines issued the following statement:
“Shortly after pushing back from the gate at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), American Airlines flight 3280 experienced a tire issue on the taxiway. Customers safely returned to the terminal and will re-depart shortly on a replacement aircraft. We never want to disrupt our customers’ travel plans and we apologize for the inconvenience this caused.”