Flight EAG-61B | Registration: G-CMJM
Date: 31 October 2023 | Location: Edinburgh to Belfast City, United Kingdom
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Introduction
On 31 October 2023, an Emerald Airlines UK ATR-72-212A, registration G-CMJM, operating flight EAG-61B from Edinburgh (EGPH), Scotland to Belfast City Airport (EGAC), Northern Ireland, departed runway 06 at Edinburgh and conducted what appeared to be a routine flight. The aircraft landed safely on Belfast’s runway 04 about 45 minutes later, with no reported anomalies or inflight warnings.
Upon arrival at the stand in Belfast, ground personnel observed that the aircraft’s right-hand nose wheel was missing. The crew had remained unaware of the wheel’s separation during flight.
A subsequent investigation by the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) concluded that the nose wheel detached during takeoff from Edinburgh due to axle failure caused by overheating and mechanical degradation of the wheel bearing.
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Flight Details
• Aircraft Type: ATR 72-212A
• Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney PW127
• Operator: Emerald Airlines UK
• Tail Number: G-CMJM
• Flight Number: EAG-61B
• Route: Edinburgh (EGPH) to Belfast City (EGAC)
• Date of Incident: 31 October 2023
• Occupants: 59 (55 passengers, 4 crew)
• Phase of Flight: Takeoff (Edinburgh), Landing (Belfast)
• Weather: No significant weather reported
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Sequence of Events
Takeoff from Edinburgh
The aircraft departed runway 06 at Edinburgh Airport with no abnormalities indicated on the flight deck. No warnings, vibration, or aircraft handling anomalies were recorded or reported by the flight crew. Unbeknownst to the crew, the right-hand nose wheel had detached during the takeoff roll and came to rest away from the runway surface, avoiding interference with other operations.
Flight to Belfast
The remainder of the flight was uneventful. The aircraft climbed, cruised, and descended without indication of any fault in the landing gear system. The nose gear doors functioned as expected, and the gear was extended normally for landing.
Landing and Discovery at Belfast
Upon landing on runway 04 at Belfast City Airport, the aircraft taxied to stand under its own power. It was only during the post-arrival inspection by ground crew that the missing nose wheel was noticed. No passengers or crew were injured, and the aircraft suffered no further damage.
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AAIB Findings and Analysis
Failure Mode
The UK AAIB concluded that the right nose landing gear (NLG) wheel detached due to axle failure. The axle failed from fracture associated with excessive heat generated by the wheel bearings. This resulted in a combination of thermal shock and cadmium embrittlement, ultimately compromising the structural integrity of the axle.
Contributing Maintenance Factors
Although the exact root cause of the overheating could not be definitively established, the AAIB identified several maintenance non-conformances that likely contributed:
• Over-greasing of the inner and outer wheel bearings, leading to heat accumulation
• Absence of wheel balancing weights, possibly increasing vibratory loading on the axle
• Use of an interposition compound between the wheel half-mating surfaces, potentially loosening tie bolts and enabling micro-movements during operation
These factors, in isolation or combined, could have promoted bearing degradation and abnormal thermal loading on the axle.
Procedural Oversight
The AAIB noted a critical reminder from the nose landing gear manufacturer about strict adherence to the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) and Component Maintenance Manual (CMM). In particular, any deviation from specified bearing lubrication, assembly torque, and wheel balancing can introduce safety-critical vulnerabilities.
Operational Risk
Had the wheel detached during final approach or over a populated area, the outcome could have been more serious. In this case, the wheel came to rest in a remote area adjacent to the runway. Debris was promptly recovered by airport authorities, avoiding additional runway hazard.
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Safety Actions and Recommendations
• Emerald Airlines reviewed internal maintenance practices across the fleet with special focus on wheel and brake assemblies.
• Maintenance providers were reminded of the critical importance of adhering to all technical documentation for component servicing.
• The manufacturer issued advisories reinforcing correct procedures for wheel installation, bearing servicing, and axial torque application.
• AAIB Recommendations included awareness campaigns for ATR operators and MROs highlighting potential thermal failures due to bearing overgrease or unapproved assembly practices.
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Conclusion
This incident highlights the latent risk posed by small deviations from approved maintenance procedures. Though undetected during flight and resolved without harm, the loss of a nose wheel on departure represents a serious maintenance-induced event. The fact that the aircraft’s performance remained unaffected underlines the robustness of the ATR’s design—but also underscores the critical role of preventive maintenance in aviation safety.
Emerald Airlines and associated MROs have since taken corrective measures to ensure full compliance with OEM guidelines and AAIB safety recommendations.
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Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and official reports as of 3 April 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the information provided.
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