Date: 20th October 2023
Location: Leeds Bradford Airport, UK
Aircraft: Boeing 737-8K5
Flight Number: TOM3551
Operator: TUI Airways
Flight Route: Corfu (Greece) to Leeds Bradford (UK)
Passengers: 195
Crew: 6
Summary of Events
On 20th October 2023, TUI Flight TOM3551, a Boeing 737-8K5, veered off the runway during its landing attempt at Leeds Bradford Airport amid the high winds of Storm Babet. The aircraft, carrying 195 passengers and six crew members, skidded off Runway 14 and onto the grass alongside it, reportedly due to a “catastrophic failure” in one of its nosewheel bearings, which caused severe juddering and made directional control difficult. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the aircraft sustained only minor damage.
As Storm Babet brought rare red weather warnings, including high winds and heavy rain, the flight crew had discussed the option of diverting to Manchester Airport due to the challenging weather. However, they continued with the approach to Leeds Bradford, where conditions deteriorated rapidly.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The aircraft involved in the incident was a Boeing 737-8K5, a member of the Boeing 737 Next Generation (737NG) series, commonly used for short- to medium-haul routes. Known for its reliability and efficiency, the Boeing 737-800 model is widely used globally by airlines like TUI Airways. The aircraft was well-maintained, having undergone all necessary inspections to ensure safe operation.
The TUI flight crew consisted of experienced pilots accustomed to navigating varying weather conditions. Due to forecasted adverse weather from Storm Babet, they discussed the option of diverting to Manchester prior to landing in Leeds. This decision to proceed at Leeds was based on the crew’s assessment of their aircraft’s capabilities and conditions at the time.
Sequence of Events
Flight TOM3551 took off from Corfu, Greece, and proceeded towards Leeds Bradford, expecting turbulent conditions on arrival due to Storm Babet. The flight was otherwise uneventful until its final approach to Runway 14. Leeds Bradford, situated at a higher altitude, often experiences more intense weather conditions, which were exacerbated by the high winds and rain from the storm.
As the aircraft touched down on Runway 14, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) reported that one of the nosewheel bearings experienced a catastrophic failure, leading to unexpected juddering. The resulting vibrations disrupted the aircraft’s trajectory, causing it to yaw left from the runway centreline. Although the pilot applied right rudder input to correct the deviation, the severe juddering prompted the pilot to ease off rudder input momentarily. Despite attempts to realign, the aircraft continued veering off the centreline, ultimately leaving the paved runway and coming to a halt on the adjacent grass.
The AAIB reported that there was no mechanical obstruction preventing the pilots from using additional rudder or braking, indicating that the crew’s response to the nosewheel juddering may have influenced the runway excursion.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the incident, Storm Babet was bringing intense weather across the UK, including heavy rain and high winds, particularly affecting higher-altitude areas like Leeds Bradford Airport. Rare red weather warnings were in place due to life-threatening conditions, with wind gusts that made landing at Leeds Bradford particularly challenging.
The weather was a key factor in the incident, contributing to the crew’s consideration of a diversion to Manchester. However, the runway excursion occurred primarily due to the nosewheel bearing failure, which compromised the aircraft’s ability to maintain directional control.
Investigation and Analysis
The AAIB conducted an investigation into the incident, focusing on the aircraft’s mechanical systems, particularly the nosewheel assembly, and the crew’s response to the failure.
Nosewheel Bearing Failure: The investigation found that one of the nosewheel bearings had suffered a “catastrophic failure” upon touchdown, resulting in intense juddering that affected the aircraft’s stability. The failure compromised the directional control of the aircraft during landing, as the pilot’s corrective inputs were complicated by the severe vibrations.
Crew Response and Decision-Making: The crew’s decision to attempt the landing at Leeds, rather than diverting to Manchester, was reviewed in light of the high winds and deteriorating conditions. The AAIB report noted that while the crew’s decision was within standard operating procedures, the unexpected nosewheel judder may have caused hesitation in applying further rudder corrections, which contributed to the runway excursion.
Runway Conditions and External Factors: Leeds Bradford’s higher-altitude location and exposed runway made it particularly vulnerable to high winds and crosswinds during Storm Babet. The AAIB report highlighted these external factors as contributing elements, as the challenging runway conditions exacerbated the effects of the mechanical failure on the aircraft’s handling.
Conclusions
The runway excursion of TUI Flight TOM3551 was caused by a catastrophic failure of the nosewheel bearing, which resulted in significant juddering and compromised the aircraft’s ability to maintain directional control during landing. High winds from Storm Babet further complicated the landing conditions, though the primary cause was the mechanical failure.
The AAIB report underscored the need for enhanced inspection protocols for nosewheel assemblies, particularly on aircraft operating in challenging conditions. While the crew acted within standard procedures, the juddering from the nosewheel bearing failure influenced their ability to apply consistent rudder input, leading to the deviation off the runway.
Recommendations
Based on the findings, several recommendations were made to prevent similar incidents in the future:
1. Enhanced Inspection of Nosewheel Bearings: Airlines operating Boeing 737 models should implement more frequent inspections of nosewheel bearings to identify signs of wear or fatigue that could lead to catastrophic failure, particularly in regions where adverse weather conditions are common.
2. Pilot Training for Mechanical Failure During Adverse Weather: Pilots should receive additional training focused on handling mechanical failures in adverse weather conditions. Training should include scenarios involving unexpected juddering or vibration and how to balance corrective inputs with the need to maintain directional control.
3. Review of Diversion Protocols in Severe Weather: Airlines and airports should establish clearer diversion protocols for situations involving severe weather, especially in higher-altitude airports prone to intense winds. Emphasis should be placed on the risks of landing in high-wind environments.
Safety Lessons and Industry Impact
The incident involving TUI Flight TOM3551 highlighted the impact of mechanical failures during challenging weather conditions, underscoring the importance of stringent maintenance practices and thorough pre-flight inspections. It also emphasized the need for pilot preparedness in handling unexpected mechanical failures, particularly during high-stress landings in adverse weather.
The AAIB’s recommendations for enhanced inspection protocols and improved training programs are expected to lead to higher safety standards for flights in adverse conditions, particularly in high-wind regions.
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