O’Hare Scare: American Airlines Flight Blows 2 Tires on Touchdown
Two Planes Blow Tires Landing at Chicago O’Hare on the Same Day
What Happened?
On Monday, August 17, 2026, something unusual happened at Chicago O’Hare International Airport — two different airplanes blew their tires while landing, just hours apart. Don’t worry, though: nobody was hurt in either incident.
Incident 1: American Airlines Flight 386
Flight Details
- Airline: American Airlines
- Flight Number: 386
- Aircraft: Boeing 737-800
- Departed from: LaGuardia Airport (New York)
- Landed at: Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- Time: Around 2:00 PM local time
What Went Down
- The plane touched down on the runway.
- Two tires blew out during or right after landing.
- The plane came to a safe stop.
- Passengers got off using portable stairs on the taxiway (not at the gate).
- They were bused to the terminal.
- The plane was taken out of service for inspection.
Important Point
American Airlines said: "We thank our team members for their professionalism and we apologize to our customers for their experience."
Incident 2: United Airlines Flight (Same Day!)
Just hours later, another plane — this one from United Airlines — also blew tires while landing at O’Hare.
What Happened Next
- The runway had to close temporarily because of debris (pieces of tire and rubber) on the ground.
- A few other flights had to circle around ("go around") and try landing again later.
- Passengers deplaned via stairs and were bused to the terminal.
- No injuries reported.
Wait… This Happened Before?
Recent History
Just days earlier, another United Airlines flight had to abort its takeoff at O’Hare because of blown tires.
That means three tire-related incidents at the same airport in less than a week.
Who’s Investigating?
- The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) — the U.S. government agency in charge of aviation safety — will investigate all incidents.
- Airlines are also doing their own internal reviews.
Why Do Tires Blow on Landing?
Simple Explanation
Airplane tires are super strong, but they take a huge beating during landing:
- The plane hits the ground at ~150–170 mph
- Tires go from 0 to 150+ mph instantly
- Heavy braking adds heat and stress
- If a tire is worn, damaged, or defective, it can burst
Summary
| Incident | Airline | Flight | Plane Type | Tires Blown | Injuries? | Passengers Offloaded Via |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Airlines | 386 | Boeing 737-800 | 2 | No | Stairs + Bus |
| 2 | United Airlines | Not specified | Not specified | Multiple | No | Stairs + Bus |
| 3 (days earlier) | United Airlines | Aborted takeoff | Not specified | Multiple | No | N/A (didn’t fly) |
Bottom Line:
Two planes blew tires landing at O’Hare on the same day. A third had a similar issue days before. No one was hurt. The FAA is investigating. The planes are being inspected. Air travel remains very safe — but this is a rare cluster of tire problems at one airport.
FAQ
1. Are blown tires on planes common?
Not really. Modern airplane tires are built to handle extreme stress. Blowouts are rare, and having two in one day at the same airport is very unusual.
2. Could the plane have crashed?
Extremely unlikely. Planes are designed to land safely even with multiple blown tires. Pilots train for this. The planes stopped safely and everyone walked away.
3. Why did passengers get off on the taxiway?
Because the planes couldn’t taxi to the gate on damaged tires. Using portable stairs and buses is a standard safety procedure.
4. Will these planes fly again?
Only after full inspections and repairs. The FAA and airlines will check every tire, brake, and landing gear part before clearing them to fly.
5. Should I be worried about flying?
No. Flying is still the safest way to travel. This is a rare event, and the system is responding exactly as it should — with investigations, inspections, and transparency.
Stay informed. Stay calm. And keep flying with confidence.