Overview
On May 9th, 2024, a Corendon Airlines Europe Boeing 737-800 (registration 9H-TJF) operating flight XC-1031 from Cologne (Germany) to Gazipasa (Turkey) experienced a nose gear failure upon landing on runway 08 at Gazipasa Airport. Both nose wheel tyres burst, and the nose wheels sustained severe damage, leaving the aircraft immobilised on the runway. The German BFU has classified this event as an accident, citing substantial damage to the aircraft.
Incident Details
Flight Information
• Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-800
• Registration: 9H-TJF
• Operator: Corendon Airlines Europe
• Flight Number: XC-1031
• Route: Cologne (Germany) to Gazipasa (Turkey)
• Occupants: 184 passengers, 6 crew
• Weather Conditions:
• Winds: 250° at 12 knots
• Temperature: 23°C
• Visibility: 10km (CAVOK reported earlier in the day)
Sequence of Events
1. Landing Phase:
• The aircraft made a hard landing on Gazipasa’s runway 08 at approximately 10:45L (07:45Z).
2. Nose Wheel Tyre and Wheel Failure:
• Both nose tyres burst upon touchdown.
• The nose wheels were ground down, leaving the nose gear strut in contact with the runway.
3. Runway Closure:
• The aircraft became immobilised on the runway.
• A NOTAM was issued, closing runway 08/26 to traffic until recovery efforts were completed.
4. Aircraft Recovery:
• The aircraft remained grounded at Gazipasa until June 21st, 2024, while repairs and investigations were conducted.
Findings
Aircraft Damage
• The nose gear structure sustained substantial damage, including:
• Burst tyres.
• Ground-down nose wheels.
• Potential internal stress to the nose gear assembly.
Cause of the Incident
• Hard Landing:
• Preliminary findings suggest the aircraft experienced a hard touchdown, likely exceeding the design load limits of the nose gear.
• Tyre Failure:
• The burst tyres were a direct result of the hard landing forces.
Contributing Factors
• Runway Conditions:
• Runway conditions were dry and clear, eliminating environmental factors as a cause.
• Approach Dynamics:
• A review of the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) is underway to assess:
• Approach speed.
• Descent rate.
• Crew inputs during landing.
Recommendations
1. Landing Gear Inspection:
• Conduct a thorough structural integrity analysis of the nose gear system.
2. Pilot Training and Procedures:
• Emphasise training on flare techniques and landing in variable wind conditions to reduce the likelihood of hard landings.
3. Runway Monitoring:
• Implement additional measures to ensure timely runway condition updates and communication to pilots, even under normal weather conditions.
4. Maintenance Checks:
• Review nose gear tyre and wheel maintenance procedures to ensure they meet operational demands.
Conclusion
The nose wheel failure of Corendon Airlines Europe flight XC-1031 underscores the critical importance of proper approach and landing techniques. While the crew’s actions ensured no injuries occurred, the substantial damage to the aircraft warrants further investigation. The German BFU, in coordination with Turkish authorities, will provide a detailed analysis upon completion of the FDR and CVR reviews.
Disclaimer
This report is based on facts available at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we apologise for any missed details or inaccuracies. If you are the rightful owner of any associated images and wish for their removal, please email takedown@cockpitking.com.
