What happened
On 5 December 2013, a Boeing 767-332 ER, registration N-182DN, operated by Delta Air Lines, was performing a scheduled international passenger flight from Madrid-Barajas Airport to New York (JFK). During the takeoff roll on runway 36L, the aft right wheel of the right main landing gear suffered a failure.
The resulting debris from the tire detached and struck the lower wing, creating a puncture. This impact also ruptured critical components within the hydraulic system. The damage was severe enough that secondary debris struck the upper surface of the wing, causing one of the outer panels to detach.
As the aircraft climbed, the crew identified that the hydraulic damage had made it impossible to retract the landing gear. The crew declared an emergency and returned to the airport. During the landing on runway 32L, the aircraft failed to maintain the centerline. Due to asymmetrical braking and thrust reverser usage, the aircraft exited the runway via the L3 rapid-exit taxiway, coming to a stop in a grassy area between the runway end and terminal T4. There were no injuries among the 203 persons on board.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation focused on the sequence of the tire failure and the subsequent structural damage. Investigators examined the wreckage, the damaged hydraulic components, and the detached wing panel. The investigation also included a technical review of the tire's manufacturing and retreading history, specifically looking at the Michelin casing and the Goodyear retread process.
Authorities also analyzed the airport's emergency response, noting that airport firefighters had heard a loud noise during the initial takeoff and were already on alert, which allowed them to escort the aircraft during its emergency landing and douse the landing gear with water as a precaution.