Ryanair Boeing 737-8 MAX at Milan – Main Tyres Damaged on Landing

On 1st October 2024, a Ryanair Boeing 737-8 MAX, registered as EI-IGI, operating flight FR-846 from Barcelona, Spain, to Milan Bergamo, Italy, encountered a significant issue upon landing. While touching down on Bergamo’s runway 28, the aircraft experienced multiple tyre bursts on its main landing gear, which led to damage to all the main tyres. The incident disabled the aircraft on the runway, necessitating immediate response from emergency services.

This event emphasises the importance of landing procedures, aircraft maintenance, and the critical role tyres play in ensuring the safety of passengers and aircraft during landing.

Overview of the Incident

The Ryanair flight FR-846, a routine service between Barcelona and Milan Bergamo, completed the majority of its journey without incident. However, upon landing at Milan Bergamo Airport, the aircraft suffered a significant failure in its main landing gear tyres. Multiple tyres burst upon touchdown, leading to substantial damage across all the main tyres, and the aircraft came to a halt on the runway. The damage was extensive enough to disable the aircraft, preventing it from taxiing off the runway under its own power.

In addition to the damage to the tyres, the runway itself was impacted. Emergency services reported that the runway was damaged over a length of 450 meters (approximately 1500 feet), likely due to the force of the landing combined with the failure of the tyres, as the aircraft skidded and ground along the runway surface.

Tyre Failures: Causes and Consequences

Aircraft tyres are designed to withstand extreme conditions, including high speeds, significant loads during landing, and various environmental factors such as wet or uneven runway surfaces. However, despite their robust design, tyre failures can still occur due to several reasons. Some common factors contributing to tyre bursts include:

1. Overheating: Excessive heat can build up in the tyres due to prolonged braking or high-speed landings, potentially leading to tyre bursts.

2. Improper Inflation: Under or over-inflated tyres can increase the risk of failure, as the tyre’s structural integrity is compromised.

3. Excessive Wear: Tyres with significant wear and tear, which may not have been detected during pre-flight inspections, could be more susceptible to failure upon landing.

4. Foreign Object Debris (FOD): Debris on the runway can cause punctures or other damage to tyres during landing or takeoff, increasing the likelihood of a burst.

In the case of the Ryanair 737-8 MAX, it is unclear from initial reports whether the tyre bursts were caused by pre-existing damage, overloading, or foreign object debris on the runway. A thorough investigation by aviation authorities and Ryanair’s maintenance team will be required to determine the root cause.

Emergency Response and Runway Impact

Emergency services at Milan Bergamo Airport responded quickly to the incident, given the aircraft’s disabled state on the runway. The primary concern in such situations is to ensure the safety of passengers and crew while assessing any risks posed by the damaged aircraft.

The runway damage reported over a 450-meter stretch further highlights the severity of the tyre bursts. When multiple tyres fail during landing, the friction between the damaged tyres and the runway surface can create significant drag, potentially causing harm to both the aircraft and the runway. In extreme cases, this can lead to runway closures and the need for immediate repairs, impacting other flights and airport operations.

Aircraft Maintenance and Safety Protocols

Incidents like this underscore the importance of rigorous maintenance and inspection protocols for critical components like landing gear and tyres. Airlines are required to perform regular checks on their aircraft, including detailed inspections of the tyres to ensure they are within operational limits.

In addition to pre-flight inspections by the flight crew, more in-depth maintenance checks are carried out at regular intervals to assess the condition of the aircraft’s tyres, landing gear, and braking systems. Any sign of excessive wear, imbalance, or damage must be addressed promptly to avoid potential failures during critical phases of flight, such as landing.

Conclusion

The Ryanair Boeing 737-8 MAX tyre failure incident at Milan Bergamo serves as a reminder of the challenges faced during the landing phase of flight operations. While aircraft tyres are built to endure significant stress, failures can still occur, leading to runway damage and operational delays.

As the investigation into this incident unfolds, it will provide further insights into the contributing factors and highlight any areas for improvement in maintenance, airport operations, and flight safety procedures. The timely response of emergency services ensured that the situation was managed effectively, minimising the impact on passengers and airport operations.

This event also reinforces the critical role of safety protocols and regular maintenance checks, ensuring that airlines can continue to provide safe and reliable services to their passengers.