A C182 pilot reported a FSDO inspector cautioned that an aircraft flown with a worn main gear tire m...

Narrative:

During preflight; the right main tire was noticed to have a bald section about 4-inches long by about 2 to 2 1/2-inches across; worn bald with no tread showing. Also; no fiber was showing. I was told that the tire was safe to fly; and that it would need to [be] replaced only if fiber was showing. The 'flight release officer' was aware of the condition of the tire; but released the aircraft to fly. The maintenance officers and the group commander was also aware of the condition of the tire and even had pictures of it - but still allowed it to be released to fly. One other pilot was with me; and we flew it for about two hours on a cross-country; and returned to base without incident. Subsequent to the flight; I questioned the authenticity of the single criteria of having to see fiber for the tire to require changing. I contacted the FAA FSDO for advice; and was told that the tire was safe by the FSDO FAA maintenance inspector. I researched the matter further by contacting cessna manufacturing company; and was redirected to their authorized dealer whose chief maintenance inspector said there are two criteria: 1) tire worn below the tread grooves (i.e. Bald) at any spot; or 2) fiber showing. I also contacted goodyear tire manufacturer and the sales manager said the same: 1) tire worn below the tread grooves (i.e. Bald) at any spot; or 2) fiber showing. I researched further; and found that AC 20-97B says that the tire should be replaced if worn or flat-spotting causes unbalance. The right main tire was replaced; no damage. That same day the FAA operations supervisor said the airplane was not airworthy because of the balding tire; and suggested that I file this report with NASA; even though he did not expect any action to occur. He said that if any action was to occur; then all pilots that flew the plane with the tire in that condition would be subject to enforcement action. He said that the pilots are 'operators' and responsible for having maintenance performed.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C182 Pilot reported a FSDO Inspector cautioned that an aircraft flown with a worn main gear tire may be cause for enforcement action. The Aircraft and Tire manufactures state that the tire's condition as described is safe.

Narrative: During preflight; the right main tire was noticed to have a bald section about 4-inches long by about 2 to 2 1/2-inches across; worn bald with no tread showing. Also; no fiber was showing. I was told that the tire was safe to fly; and that it would need to [be] replaced only if fiber was showing. The 'Flight Release Officer' was aware of the condition of the tire; but released the aircraft to fly. The Maintenance Officers and the Group Commander was also aware of the condition of the tire and even had pictures of it - but still allowed it to be released to fly. One other pilot was with me; and we flew it for about two hours on a cross-country; and returned to base without incident. Subsequent to the flight; I questioned the authenticity of the single criteria of having to see fiber for the tire to require changing. I contacted the FAA FSDO for advice; and was told that the tire was safe by the FSDO FAA Maintenance Inspector. I researched the matter further by contacting Cessna Manufacturing Company; and was redirected to their Authorized Dealer whose Chief Maintenance Inspector said there are two criteria: 1) tire worn below the tread grooves (i.e. bald) at any spot; OR 2) fiber showing. I also contacted Goodyear Tire Manufacturer and the Sales Manager said the same: 1) tire worn below the tread grooves (i.e. bald) at any spot; OR 2) fiber showing. I researched further; and found that AC 20-97B says that the tire should be replaced if worn OR flat-spotting causes unbalance. The right main tire was replaced; no damage. That same day the FAA Operations Supervisor said the airplane was not airworthy because of the balding tire; and suggested that I file this report with NASA; even though he did not expect any action to occur. He said that if any action was to occur; then all pilots that flew the plane with the tire in that condition would be subject to enforcement action. He said that the pilots are 'operators' and responsible for having maintenance performed.

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.

Attributes
ACN	892312
Time
Date	201005
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Parked
Flight Plan	VFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Main Gear Tire
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Instrument
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20 Flight Crew Total 3200 Flight Crew Type 30
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Maintenance Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

A C182 pilot reported a FSDO inspector cautioned that an aircraft flown with a worn main gear tire may be cause for enforcement action. The aircraft and tire manufactures state that the tire's condition as described is safe.