Incident Overview
The aircraft experienced failure of all eight main landing gear tires during the landing roll on runway 27. Prior to departure, the flight crew received paperwork to perform an alternate brake system test in-flight. At the top of descent, they began the test: the First Officer read the procedure and the Captain performed the tasks. During the test, the Captain observed brake pressures of 2,100 psi on the left and 2,500 psi on the right, whereas she was accustomed to seeing 2,500 psi on both sides. She conducted additional testing to troubleshoot the lower left reading, then returned the system to normal and made a write-up in the aircraft's maintenance log.
Landing and Evacuation
The First Officer was the pilot flying. After the test, they descended and approached Fort Lauderdale. During the approach, they performed approach and landing checks, including checking the brake system, and planned to use manual braking for landing. The touchdown was proper, and the airplane immediately began to decelerate. The Captain asked the First Officer if he was braking; he said no. The controller then informed them that he was rolling the equipment, and when asked why, he cited smoke and fire. The Captain performed the emergency evacuation checklist, and the First Officer opened the aircraft door and deployed the slide. They then exited the airplane.
Runway and Aircraft Examination
Another pilot reported to the controller that the aircraft's tire prints at the touchdown point "looked like their brakes were locked or something." Examination of runway 27 Right after the incident revealed four sets of heavy skid marks (two per bogie), continuous from the initial touchdown point to the aircraft's final resting place. Evidence of wheel rim contact from both left and right main gear wheels began about 500–600 feet after touchdown and continued to where the aircraft stopped. The first set of two skid marks started approximately 1,200 feet from the runway threshold, consistent with right main landing gear touchdown first; the total distance of the right skid was 2,383 feet. The second set of two skid marks began about 81 feet further down the runway, consistent with left main landing gear touchdown.
Inspection of the aircraft showed that all eight main landing gear tires had blown, deflated, and come apart. Damage was confined to the side in contact with the runway; all eight tires were worn down to the wheel assembly with no flat spots or other damage on the opposite side. All eight wheel assemblies were symmetrically worn down about 10 percent. All eight brakes, wheel speed transducer shafts, and brake fans were damaged; there was no damage to either the left or right bogie beams.
System Testing
Prior to changing the tires and removing the aircraft from the runway, Federal Express maintenance personnel performed a Built In Test Equipment (BITE) test on the Braking and Steering Control Unit (BSCU). The BITE test revealed 12 fault codes. Airbus accomplished a test flight in France on an A300-600 aircraft to attempt to reproduce those fault codes. They simulated the scenario: "Aircraft in flight, landing gear extended, parking brake set ON." This test triggered the same 12 fault codes on the BSCU. Post-incident testing of the brake system components on the incident airplane showed no evidence of failure or malfunction of any of the system components.