On February 6, 1998, about 1500 eastern standard time, a Lockheed L-1011-385-1-15, N103CK, registered to American International Airways, Inc., dba Connie Kalitta Services, Inc., as flight 840, experienced blown tires during an aborted takeoff from the Tocumen International Airport, Panama City, Panama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed for the nonscheduled, international, cargo flight. The airplane was not damaged and the airline transport-rated captain, first officer, flight engineer, and two additional crewmembers were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the incident.

According to officials from the Government of Panama, the captain elected to use a runway that was 2,000 feet shorter than the longer of the parallel runways. During the takeoff after the nose landing gear was rotated, the captain elected to abort. After touchdown all main landing gear tires were blown and the airplane was stopped on the runway. The official further stated that visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the incident.

The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of Panama. Any further information pertaining to this incident may be obtained from:
Direccion de Aeronautica Civil Apartado Postal 7501 and 7615 Panama 5, Panama Phone: 507 226 1622/507 226 1161/507 226 1245 Facsimile: 507 226 3860
This report is for information purposes only and contains only information obtained for or released by the Panamanian Government.