American Airlines jet experiences tire blowout during taxi at Chicago O'Hare

An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 lost two tires while taxiing at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Tuesday, prompting the airline to return passengers to the terminal and replace the aircraft. The incident occurred shortly after the flight, designated 3280, pushed back from the gate. Passengers reported hearing a loud popping sound before the tires burst.

American Airlines said the customers were safely escorted back to the terminal and would be re-departed on a replacement aircraft, which took off for Charlotte, North Carolina, about two hours later.

The event is the fourth tire-related problem at O'Hare within a two-week span. Earlier in the period, another American Airlines flight experienced a tire burst on landing, and a United Airlines aircraft suffered tire damage on the same day. A separate flight bound for Phoenix had aborted takeoff after a tire burst while taxiing the week before.