Synopsis
On 20 June 2012, at approximately 0200 local time, an Ilyushin IL-76TD cargo aircraft, registration UP-I7625, operated by Air Trast, landed on Runway 30 at Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. During touchdown, all 16 main landing gear tires burst due to skidding caused by brake jamming. The aircraft blocked the runway for 19 hours until partial wheel replacement allowed its removal. No injuries were reported, and no other damage occurred.
Factual Information
The aircraft was a four-engine turbofan transport (D-30KP-2 engines) conducting a cargo flight with eight persons on board. The landing gear system includes 16 main gear tires and a parking brake lever located next to the left throttle lever. The parking brake lever is spring-loaded. No visual or aural warning system indicated the parking brake status.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the aircraft after the incident revealed that the parking brake lever was in the ON position. The investigation determined that the parking brake had been activated at some point before landing, causing the brakes to lock and the tires to skid and burst upon touchdown. The lever's location near the throttle made it vulnerable to inadvertent activation. The crew did not detect the parking brake status due to the absence of a warning system.
Cause
The cause of the serious incident was the activation of the parking brakes prior to landing, resulting in wheel jamming and consequent bursting of all 16 main landing gear tires.
Contributing Factors
Factors identified include the lack of a visual or aural parking brake warning, the lever's location increasing the risk of inadvertent activation, and insufficient crew awareness of the parking brake status.
Safety Recommendations
The investigation issued recommendations to the operator, the aircraft manufacturer (Ilyushin Design Bureau), and the General Civil Aviation Authority of the UAE. These included improving crew procedures, installing warning systems, and reviewing cockpit ergonomics.