A China Airlines Boeing 747-400 freighter, registration B-18725 performing freight flight CI-5198 from Taipei (Taiwan) to Los Angeles,CA (USA), was climbing out of Taipei's runway 05R when the crew stopped the climb at FL290 after being informed that tyre debris had been found on their departure runway. The aircraft dumped fuel and returned to Taipei for a low approach to runway 05R to have the tyres inspected from the ground, which confirmed a blown tyre. The aircraft positioned for another approach and landed safely on runway 05R about 2:15 hours after departure.
A replacement Boeing 747-400 registration B-18717 departed about 7 hours after landing of B-18725.
The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Taipei about 13 hours after landing back.