As a Cessna 172 pilot, tire bursts are a rare but serious event that can occur

during different phases of flight. It's important to understand the causes,

indications, and appropriate actions to take in case of a single tire or both tires
bursting during flight.

**Causes:**

1. Overinflation or underinflation of the tires

2. Damage or wear on the tire, such as punctures, cuts, or bald spots
3. Foreign object damage (FOD) on the runway
4. Hard landings or excessive braking
5. Manufacturing defects

**Indications:**

1. Abnormal vibration or noise during taxi, takeoff, or landing

2. Loss of directional control during ground operations
3. Unusual attitude of the aircraft during ground roll or braking
4. Reports from other pilots or ground personnel

**Actions to Take - Single Tire Burst:**

*Taxi:*
1. Stop the aircraft immediately, avoiding excessive braking.
2. Shut down the engine and perform a safe exit from the aircraft.
3. Notify the airport authorities and maintenance personnel.
4. Arrange for the tire to be replaced before continuing flight operations.

*Takeoff:*
1. If the tire bursts before rotation speed (Vr), abort the takeoff immediately,
using appropriate braking and directional control.
2. If the tire bursts after rotation speed (Vr) but before takeoff safety speed
(V2), continue the takeoff and climb to a safe altitude.
3. Declare an emergency and inform air traffic control (ATC) of the situation.
4. Proceed to the nearest suitable airport for a single-wheel landing.

*Landing:*
1. If you have not already declared an emergency, do so now and inform ATC of the
situation.
2. Perform a flyby or request assistance from ground personnel to confirm the burst
tire condition.
3. Plan your approach and landing considering the wind direction and runway length.
4. Use gentle braking, avoiding the use of brakes on the affected wheel.
5. Maintain directional control using rudder and differential braking, if
necessary.
6. Once stopped, shut down the engine and exit the aircraft safely.

**Actions to Take - Both Tires Burst:**

*Taxi:*
1. Stop the aircraft immediately, avoiding excessive braking.
2. Shut down the engine and perform a safe exit from the aircraft.
3. Notify the airport authorities and maintenance personnel.
4. Arrange for both tires to be replaced before continuing flight operations.

*Takeoff:*
1. If both tires burst before rotation speed (Vr), abort the takeoff immediately,
using appropriate braking and directional control.
2. If both tires burst after rotation speed (Vr) but before takeoff safety speed
(V2), continue the takeoff and climb to a safe altitude.
3. Declare an emergency and inform air traffic control (ATC) of the situation.
4. Proceed to the nearest suitable airport for a landing without the use of brakes.

*Landing:*
1. If you have not already declared an emergency, do so now and inform ATC of the
situation.
2. Perform a flyby or request assistance from ground personnel to confirm the
condition of both burst tires.
3. Plan your approach and landing considering the wind direction and runway length.
4. Touch down as smoothly as possible and avoid using brakes.
5. Maintain directional control using rudder and ailerons.
6. Once the aircraft has come to a stop, shut down the engine and exit the aircraft
safely.

Remember that each situation may require specific actions depending on the
circumstances. Always refer to your aircraft's Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) and
follow the appropriate procedures for your specific aircraft model.