Allegiant in the media again - Curt Lewis

'It was a big jolt': Tires blow on jet landing at LVIA; all 158 on board safe Firefighters assist with the evacuation of an Allegiant Air jet Wednesday night after two of the plane's tires blew out on landing at Lehigh Valley International Airport. No one was hurt. (Contributed photo) Tires blow on jet landing at LVIA, but all 158 on board reported safe Two tires blew out on an Allegiant Air jet as the plane landed Wednesday afternoon at Lehigh Valley International Airport, but none of the 158 people on board was hurt, officials said. "The left main tires blew out when it landed," LVIA spokesman Colin Riccobon said. "The plane stopped safely and all the passengers are being deplaned and brought to the terminal." The plane, a fully booked McDonnell Douglas MD-80, was coming in from Orlando, Fla., when it touched down on a wet runway at 5:46 p.m., according to Allegiant Air. "It was a big jolt," a passenger from Bethlehem said. "You heard the first tire go. And another jolt, you heard the second one go. We felt it and then we smelled it. "It kind of felt like they slammed on the brakes a little too soon, but they did a pretty good job bringing the plane to a stop." Firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to the airport to check for damage and injuries, and the plane quickly was evacuated. The 152 passengers and six crew members were taken to the terminal on buses. Allegiant said the plane was scheduled for a return flight to Orlando Sanford International Airport, but that flight was put on hold. "[The passengers] are currently being provided with refreshments at the gate while we determine how to most efficiently get them to their destination," the airline said. "We apologize for this inconvenience to our passengers and are offering $100 ... vouchers for use on future Allegiant flights." Riccobon said he did not believe there was any indication of trouble before the plane landed at LVIA. On landing, each wing of the plane extends a shock strut holding two tires. The nose gear also has two tires. On Wednesday, both tires blew out under the left wing. "Mechanics are on site and examining the aircraft to have it safely moved," Allegiant said in a statement. A few firefighters were asked to remain at LVIA as the mechanics jacked up the landing gear to begin assessing the damage. The plane remained on the runway at 8:50 p.m. Fire officials initially estimated 125 people were on the plane. Allegiant later said the total was 158.