History of the Flight
The crew operated a scheduled passenger flight from Manchester to Corfu and back. During the return to Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA), Storm Babet brought high winds. The commander, as pilot flying (PF), calculated landing performance using a wind of 060° at 19 kt, which was outside limits. After entering a holding pattern, they received updated wind of 070° at 21 kt gusting 33 kt, which was within limits. They conducted an ILS approach to Runway 14. The tower passed a final wind of 070° at 23 kt gusting 37 kt, giving a maximum crosswind component of 35 kt from the left.
The PF de-crabbed with right rudder and landed smoothly. Autobrake engaged one second later, reverse thrust deployed, and the target deceleration rate was achieved. Five seconds after touchdown, the PF reduced right rudder to neutral, and the aircraft began yawing left. The PF applied right rudder, but felt a significant ‘judder’. He then limited his rudder inputs, and the aircraft continued to deviate left. Asymmetric braking was used momentarily, and the tiller was applied near the runway edge. The aircraft left the runway at about 55 kt ground speed, coming to rest 150 m beyond Taxiway D in muddy ground.
Findings
Examination revealed that one of the nosewheel inner axle bearings had failed, likely during the rollout. This caused a judder when right rudder was applied. The PF, experiencing the unexpected judder, reduced his rudder inputs; however, there was no mechanical restriction preventing full rudder use or differential braking. The nosewheel steering, linked to the rudder pedals, could turn the nosewheels up to 7° with pedals (more with tiller), but the tiller is not recommended until taxi speed.
Runway tyre marks showed that the nosewheels turned to one side, consistent with a steering input at an angle to the direction of travel. The aircraft sustained minor damage to main and nosewheel tyres, and the left nosewheel inner axle bearing was destroyed. No injuries were reported among the 6 crew and 195 passengers.