Travis Barker, DJ AM's fatal crash may be due to blown tire

The National Transportation Safety Board has determined that the crash of the Lear jet in South Carolina late Saturday night -- which killed four people and left Travis Barker and DJ AM burned and in critical condition -- may have been caused by a tire blow out.

Goodyear, the tire's manufacturer, has released a statement.

"We have been contacted by the [National Transportation Safety Board] and will cooperate fully with its investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this accident."

The Charlotte Observer reports that the cockpit recording revealed that the crew members piloting the plane thought they heard a tire blow as they hurtled down the runway and struggled to stop the plane, a federal safety official said Sunday.

National Transportation Safety Board member Debbie Hersman said a cockpit voice recording of the Friday night crash indicates the crew tried to abort the takeoff, but then signaled the efforts were failing.

"The crew reacted to a sound that was consistent with a tire blowout," Hersman told reporters.
Barker and DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) are still in a burn unit in Augusta, Ga. But the young men are expected to make full recoveries.

Photo: WireImage

Comments

[Derek]

What a shame, when you have a tire blowout you don't abort the takeoff. Lear jet's have 6 tires and they could have easily landed on the 5 remaining tires. You take off, either go to your destination, in this case Van Nuys Airport would have been better equipped for a landing like this and you have burnt fuel.

[beckie mickleburgh]

hope both of the guys recover well and like other fans.. you are in our thoughts and deepest sympathy to those who lost loved ones , our thoughts are with you. xxx

[Poorider]

peace out yall, one love for travis he saved my life.
peace

[Katie]

They are all in my prayers

[sterling]

Derek, while you may be right, second guessing a dead pilot is not good form. Who knows what conditions and indications the pilots were reacting to in that split second decision.

[Griffin]

It's awesome to hear that they SHOULD make full recoveries.. but it's sad to here the other 4 died.

[Tanya]

Just to clear up any confusion about what the pilot "should have" done:
Just before midnight on Friday, a twin-engine private Learjet carrying AM, Barker, his assistant and body guard was scheduled to depart for Van Nuys, California, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. While taking off, the plane overran the runway, struck an antenna array and several lights and began sending up sparks. It skidded off the end of the runway, crossed a roadway and crashed into an embankment. The plane caught fire on impact.

[Donna West]

Drugs?

[Ray Jackson]

I think that Goodyear Tire Co. should be held accountable for this fatal crash. During this past summer, Indianapolis hosted it's first Formula One race. The race was a disaster and lives were jeopardized due to poorly manufactured Goodyear tires used by all the drivers. Most of the tires blew out or shredded into pieces causing several accidents.

[min]

Gee, Derek, I guess you're so frickin perfect, you should have been flying that plane. What kind of a jerk would cut down someone who just died in a fiery crash. Have a little compassion, dude.

[AngelLake]

I am Glad Travis and DJ AM survived, I really believe all four of the guys where going to jump before the impact, I believe they just waited to late as long as they where sliding off the runway in the grass thats when they should have jumped but it look like they hesitated and panic and anyone can understand that, and didnt jump until they where near the road which they didnt know, because the impact with the road is more than likely what caused the sparks to ignite into the fire, I dont believe the Jet was not on fire on the inside before that because the Pilot was talking to the ATC in the Tower.

[SLARS]

Derek, if you were a pilot, you would know that you cannot take off if the aircraft did not get to air speed before the tire blew. You must abort, slam on brakes, engage the thrust reversers and pray you have enough pavement to stop.