A WestJet flight bound for Calgary aborted its takeoff at Denver International Airport after a landing-gear tire failure [1].
This incident highlights the critical safety protocols required during the takeoff phase, where mechanical failures can pose immediate risks to passengers and crew.
Flight 1571 was operating on Runway 8 [4] when the crew declared an emergency [1]. Reports indicate that two landing-gear tires shredded [5], creating a safety hazard that forced the pilot to stop the aircraft immediately [1].
While most reports state the incident occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, June 18, 2026 [2], one source said the flight was cleared for takeoff at 12:25 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 [3].
Following the abort, passengers were evacuated from the aircraft and transported via buses [1]. The emergency declaration ensured that airport authorities and emergency responders were on standby to manage the evacuation on the runway [2].
WestJet has not provided a detailed statement on the specific cause of the tire failure, though the mechanical issue was sufficient to prevent the aircraft from departing [1].
“Two landing-gear tires shredded”
The abrupt abortion of takeoff due to tire failure demonstrates the effectiveness of aviation safety redundancies. Because pilots are trained to prioritize ground-based emergencies over airborne failures, the decision to abort prevents potential catastrophic loss of control during the climb, shifting the risk to a controlled runway evacuation.
