FAA investigating after 'rare' blown tires on 2 planes on same day at O'Hare

Updated 1 hour ago
CHICAGO (WLS) -- O'Hare is grabbing national headlines after two airplanes blew their tires Monday.

Both the American and United planes had passengers on board. This has now happened four times in Chicago this month.



There are lots of questions after three planes blew tires in recent days at O'Hare Airport.

The Chicago Department of Aviation commissioner said they are investigating what the cause could be.



Two incidents happened just hours apart Monday.

An American Airlines flight coming from LaGuardia blew two tires while landing at O'Hare.

The plane landed safely and passengers were able to get off using the stairs.

Hours later, a United plane - from Omaha, Nebraska - also suffered tire damage when it arrived at O'Hare.

This comes less than a week after a United plane had to abort takeoff after blowing its tires.



While getting a special tour Tuesday morning of what will be the future Concourse D at O'Hare, the Chicago Department of Aviation commissioner Mike McMurray told ABC7 the incidents happened on different runways.

They, along with the FAA, are looking into if weather could have impacted the unusual events.

"It's rare, but what we're doing right now is we're working with the FAA and also our airline partners to really investigate why this is happening," CDA Commissioner McMurray said. "Safety is our priority at both of our airports. It's our top priority; it's a priority of the FAA and also our airline partners. So we're looking at that right now. And hopefully will come to why that's happening over the last couple days, but it is rare."

Construction, meanwhile, is moving full steam ahead, since the groundbreaking one year ago to the day.

The foundation has been excavated and set on Concourse D, and they're now building vertically.



McMurray said eventually, they'll add a concourse E, as well, and an O'Hare global terminal - all part of an $8.8 billion program to be completed in eight to 10 years.

The commissioner said last year, O'Hare was the world's busiest airport and the demand is there for more space at the big airport.

"Nineteen new gates, it'll bring more amenities for passengers," McMurray said. "It'll mean easier connection between international domestic passengers, and enhanced passenger experience as well as the capacity for the airport to grow in the future."

Construction for Concourse D is running on-schedule and under-budget; It is projected to be up and running by late 2028.
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