18x5.5 Tubes

[mshac]

Those pics are very disconcerting, to say the least.

Here's a theory, a SWAG if you will:

The damage to the tubes is due to heat emanating from the brake caliper. Say you use the brakes hard, then park. The caliper will be pretty hot, and the tube area nearest the caliper will get heat transferred through the tire.

It would explain the damage being on the sidewall, because that's closest to the caliper. Also, most stories have the tubes failing after a landing, when the tires and brakes are hottest.

Any other theories besides "Manufacturing error"? Which it still may be, because the tubes should be more heat resistant then that.