Date: 201509
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: Mixed
Weather elements / visibility: 8
Light: Night
Aircraft: B737-700
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Flight phase: Initial Approach
Airspace: Class E ZZZ
ATC / advisory: CTAF ZZZ
Aircraft component: Main Gear Tire
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain
Human factors: Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Physiological - Other
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Pre-flight; In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Procedure; Human Factors; Aircraft; Airport; Chart Or Publication
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: Had a plane swap in XXX.  After the First Officer's preflight; he mentioned to me that the number 2 main tire had a puncture and should be checked by Maintenance. We called Maintenance out and; after looking at it; they stated that the tire was within the puncture limits of 3/8 of an inch or less in depth and that we were good to go.  My First Officer had gone into the terminal to take care of some personal business and; upon his return; I told him what Maintenance had told me. My First Officer stated to me that this did not sound right to him and that I should go look at it with him so I could see it for myself. We went outside to see the puncture and determined that it was much deeper then 3/8 of an inch and went as deep as the tire cord. I returned to the cockpit and called Maintenance back out for a second opinion on this tire. A Maintenance Supervisor came out and confirmed that yes the tire was damaged and needed to be changed. The tire was changed and logbook completed.  We left XXX 45 minutes late.   Upon my return to the cockpit prior to our departure; I was both somewhat upset and shocked that a Company Mechanic would release an aircraft for flight with an unsafe tire. I thanked my First Officer for his persistence in pursuing this matter to its safe conclusion. As a result of having to call out Maintenance twice; I did not follow my standard cockpit flow in preparing for departure and missed the NOTAM for Runway closure. We encountered scattered thunderstorms on our way to our destination and requested numerous vectors to circumnavigate our way there. Needless to say this required our utmost attention on the short flight and there was no time to reflect on our departure from XXX and the fact that I had not reviewed the NOTAMs. Upon arrival into the approach environment; we requested Runway 18 since the winds were 170/07 knots. ATC then cleared us for the RNAV/GPS 08 and handed us off to the CTAF. Upon stating our intentions over the CTAF; we were informed by Airport Operations that Runway 08 was closed and we then entered a right downwind for Runway 27 and landed uneventfully. This airport does not have digital ATIS so my First Officer received it over COMM 2 and did not recall anything about a runway closure nor did ATC mention anything about a closed runway.Letting my emotions get to me in XXX after the tire change and having my pre-departure flow interrupted.  Taking a minute to take a couple deep breaths and relax could have prevented this.




Synopsis: A crew departed for an airport with a NOTAM for a closed runway which was requested for landing but advised on CTAF it was closed. The Captain was upset with himself for missing the NOTAM closure; but during the flight's preflight was distracted by maintenance's failing to identify and change a damaged tire until notified twice by the crew.