A Burst Tire, Not an Aborted Takeoff: The SkyCare Westwind Runway Excursion at Las Vegas

A Canadian air-ambulance jet blew a tire during its takeoff roll at Las Vegas and veered off the runway — a mechanical failure, not the aborted-takeoff drama the incident's early reporting suggested.

A Medevac Operator, Not a Charter

The aircraft was operated by SkyCare, a Sioux Lookout, Ontario-based air ambulance company running a fleet of more than 20 aircraft, including several IAI Westwind jets, on round-the-clock cross-border medical evacuation flights between Canada and the United States. This particular aircraft, C-GIAW, had arrived in Las Vegas from Toronto the evening before and was preparing for the return leg early on August 28, 2026.

A Tire Failure on the Roll

During the takeoff roll on Runway 26R, one of the aircraft's tires burst. A blown tire during a high-speed takeoff roll immediately changes how an airplane tracks down the runway — asymmetric drag pulls the aircraft toward the side with the failed tire, and a crew has only the runway's remaining width and their own rudder and braking inputs to keep it on the pavement. Here, the aircraft veered left and departed the paved surface, coming to rest off the runway.

No Injuries

Nobody aboard was hurt. Runway excursions caused by tire failures on takeoff are generally survivable events precisely because they happen at a point in the takeoff roll where the aircraft is still on or near the ground, without the far greater energy and altitude involved in a rejected takeoff at higher speed or an accident airborne.

Investigation Status

The exact reason for the tire failure — underinflation, a cut or foreign-object strike, wear, or something else — has not been determined publicly as of this writing. The FAA and NTSB were both notified, as is standard for any runway excursion involving substantial aircraft damage.

This reconstruction was researched from official investigation records where they exist, the original air traffic control recording, and contemporary reporting. The aircraft movement, timeline and written account were assembled independently by Flight Follower. Where an investigation is open or no probable cause has been published, the account says so rather than offering one.

Timeline

Accident Facts

Sources

• FlightGlobal, "Westwind ambulance suffered burst tyre before damaging Las Vegas excursion"
• Hoodline, "Canadian Air Ambulance Jet Skids Off Runway At Harry Reid Airport, No Injuries"
• FOX5 Las Vegas / KTNV, local coverage confirming no injuries