Narrative:

On takeoff during rotation we a heard a 'thud' and then a slight airframe vibration. It lasted 2 or 3 seconds and stopped at gear retraction. No further vibrations or noises were heard. About one hour into flight the 1st flight attendant told us a deadheading flight attendant sitting in row 5 said she saw a black object the size of a hockey puck fly off the aircraft toward the side of runway. At that time we suspected we may have tire damage and may have been the 'noise' [we heard]. We contacted dispatch and maintenance and advised both of our situation. We all agreed that we should continue to destination and land. Dispatch also contacted the tower and arranged for us to get the longest runway. Dispatch also notified crash and rescue that we may have a damaged tire and our ETA. Upon first contact with approach we declared an emergency; but they were already aware of our possible problem. We landed normally and taxied clear of runway. We asked crash fire rescue equipment to inspect our tires and they informed us the right side inboard tire was blown. At the same time we noticed the brake temps on right gear of 45 degrees on inboard and 520 on outboard tire. We advised crash fire rescue equipment of the high temperatures and to use caution around the gear. We then called maintenance and they advised it would be safe to taxi to gate. We turned on brake fans and taxied slowly to the gate. It appeared the number 3 tire had blown on rotation during takeoff.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Airbus Captain reports being informed by a deadheading Flight Attendant; one hour into the flight; that a tire may have failed during takeoff. Precautions are taken during approach and landing at destination. A right main gear tire is found to be flat.

Narrative: On takeoff during rotation we a heard a 'thud' and then a slight airframe vibration. It lasted 2 or 3 seconds and stopped at gear retraction. No further vibrations or noises were heard. About one hour into flight the 1st Flight Attendant told us a deadheading Flight Attendant sitting in Row 5 said she saw a black object the size of a hockey puck fly off the aircraft toward the side of runway. At that time we suspected we may have tire damage and may have been the 'noise' [we heard]. We contacted Dispatch and Maintenance and advised both of our situation. We all agreed that we should continue to destination and land. Dispatch also contacted the Tower and arranged for us to get the longest runway. Dispatch also notified crash and rescue that we may have a damaged tire and our ETA. Upon first contact with Approach we declared an emergency; but they were already aware of our possible problem. We landed normally and taxied clear of runway. We asked CFR to inspect our tires and they informed us the right side inboard tire was blown. At the same time we noticed the brake temps on right gear of 45 degrees on inboard and 520 on outboard tire. We advised CFR of the high temperatures and to use caution around the gear. We then called Maintenance and they advised it would be safe to taxi to gate. We turned on brake fans and taxied slowly to the gate. It appeared the number 3 tire had blown on rotation during takeoff.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.