Which condition is most likely to result in tire damage or failure?

• A. Over-inflating
• B. Puncture
• C. Under-inflating
• D. Inadequate heat dissipation

Answer: (C)

Under-inflation causes the tire to flex more than designed as it carries load, which generates excessive heat and accelerates wear. This added heat softens the rubber and can weaken the belt and tread structure, making tread separation or a blowout more likely, especially during high-load events like landing, braking, or rapid deceleration. The larger, overworked contact patch also compounds heat buildup and wear, reinforcing the risk of damage under normal operating conditions.

Over-inflation shifts wear to the center of the tread and makes for a harsher ride, but it doesn’t create the same level of sustained structural stress or heat buildup as persistent under-inflation. Puncture is a sudden external damage event and not a sustained condition that leads to failure in the same way. Inadequate heat dissipation can contribute to overheating, but under-inflation most directly and repeatedly causes the tire to overheat and fail.