Tire Comes Apart on Q400

Dec. 31/14-The WestJet Encore de Havilland DHC-8-402, C-FHEN, was operating as WEN3256 from Calgary International Airport (CYYC) to Grande Prairie, AB (CYQU). WEN3256 experienced a #3 tire cap separation on the take-off roll and once airborne the crew elected to return to CYYC. An emergency was declared, ARFF was called out and the aircraft landed uneventfully. Maintenance confirmed that damage occurred to the right hand (R/H) wing, inboard (I/B) flap, R/H main landing gear (MLG) shock strut, left trailing edge fairing and R/H inboard aft gear door.