Date: 201507
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: B737-700
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Takeoff / Launch
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ; Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Main Gear Tire
Component problem: Failed
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Other / Unknown
Second reporter function: Captain
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Excursion Runway
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: Just prior to takeoff rotation; we experienced a blown tire on the left main gear. The resulting debris caused significant damage in the wheel well area; resulting in complete loss of system hydraulics. We continued to climb out and elected to leave the gear down. We then accelerated and cleaned up the flaps. Next we completed the QRH checklist for Loss of System A. We did note; however; that there was no checklist for Blown Tire. We also communicated with ATC; Operations; Dispatch; the Flight Attendants; and Passengers. We then computed the landing data considering all inoperative equipment and determined that we had plenty of landing distance; while noting that it would be an overweight landing. We proceeded to fly an ATC vectored box pattern at 6000 feet and set up for an ILS to return. The approach was uneventful and touchdown was smooth. As soon as the nose gear touched down we began to experience a significant shudder attributable to the blown tire. The Captain was able to slow and maintain directional control until approximately 60 knots. Unbeknownst to us; the exploding tire had completely disabled left side brakes. As the aircraft continued to slow we began to lose rudder authority and the aircraft started to drift to the right. The Captain made every attempt to maintain centerline using tiller; rudder; differential braking; and differential reverse thrust but to no avail. We departed the runway surface to the right; somewhere between 20-50 knots. The aircraft came to a quick stop approximately 30 feet off the runway. The gear remained extended and no other tires blew. There were no cockpit indications of a fire or other damage and the Captain secured the engines. We completed the first few steps of the Evacuation Checklist just in case the need arose. There were no injuries to the Passengers or Crew and the Passengers were eventually deplaned via air stairs and taken by bus to the terminal. The remainder of the emergency was uneventful. In the turmoil that followed; we documented the blown tire and loss of hydraulics in the logbook; but forgot to enter an overweight landing. However; Maintenance was verbally informed of the fact a short time later. There needs to be a checklist in the QRH for blown tire. As emergencies go; this one is fairly common. That checklist should highlight all the applicable checklists to reference and the fact that a severe enough tire explosion may completely disable the brakes on that side and result in significant ground control issues.


Second narrative: At rotation; audible noise and moderate vibration felt. Immediate 'antiskid inop' illumination and landing gear 'left down' light extinguished. Elected not to retract gear. Reported to Tower and requested vectors to downwind. During climb the A-hydraulic 'low pressure' illuminated. No checklist found for 'blown/damaged tire'; began working the 'A-hydraulic' and associated checklists. We communicated with Flight Attendants; Passengers; Dispatch and Operations. We worked the checklist for landing gear. We returned for landing; normal touchdown; normal initial deceleration. As the aircraft slowed; lateral control became increasingly ineffective until departing the paved surface just past [taxiway.] Number two engine struck [taxiway] signage. Aircraft stopped 90 degrees to runway facing north; with the tail at the runway edge. No fire or structural damage requiring evacuation present; Passenger 'Remain Seated' command issued. Fire Command extinguished minor signage fire and communicated aircraft state to us. Deplaned Passengers using air stairs transported them to terminal via busses. Secured aircraft; documented 'tire' and 'hydraulic'; handed aircraft to Company Maintenance.I would like to commend the exemplary performance of First Officer (name) during this event. I would also like to thank the Flight Attendants for the outstanding effectuation of their duties and apologize for not having their names available.


Synopsis: B737-700 flight crew experience a main gear tire failure at rotation. The takeoff is continued; the gear is left down and the loss of System A hydraulics is noted. The crew returns to the departure airport for an overweight landing where it is discovered that the left brakes are inoperative. A runway excursion occurs at low speed with no further damage to the aircraft and no evacuation is necessary.