N247QS

On November 17, 2024, about 0945 mountain standard time, a Bombardier Inc. CL-600-2B16 (Challenger 650), N247QS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Jackson, Wyoming. The 2 pilots and 9 passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91K business flight.

According to the Captain, they had a load miscalculation and needed to burn about 500 lbs of excess fuel prior to takeoff. He notified the primary passenger that they would have to stop at the end of the runway to burn the excess fuel to remain under their maximum safe departure weight. While taxiing, the captain told his first officer that he was going to add power and use the brakes to burn off excess fuel, so they don’t inconvenience the passengers and make them wait. He reported that he applied about 65% power as they taxied and about 70% power at the approach end of runway 19. While holding short of runway 19, the captain initially set the parking brake, however, released the parking brake after he received a takeoff configuration warning. The captain advanced the power again while holding the brakes for about 10 to 15 minutes.

After they received their takeoff clearance, the captain taxied onto runway 19 and then transferred the controls to the first officer for the takeoff. The first officer held the brakes for a static takeoff. After he applied takeoff power, he released the brakes and the airplane began to accelerate. As the airspeed increased to about 25 to 30kts, the crew heard a rumble on the left side of the airplane. The captain elected to abort the takeoff, and the first officer performed the abort procedure while the captain notified the air traffic control tower (ATCT) controller. The ATCT controller informed the crew that their left wheel appeared to be on fire. After the airplane came to a stop on an adjacent taxiway, the flight crew and passengers evacuated without injury.

Photographs of the airplane showed substantial damage to the auxiliary spar and lower wing skin.