What happened
On 08 August 2010, an Emirates passenger flight, operating a Boeing 777-200LR with registration A6-EWC, was performing a takeoff roll from runway 12R at Dubai International Airport. As the aircraft accelerated and reached a speed of approximately 170 knots, the pilot flying heard a loud noise and immediately initiated a rejected takeoff before reaching V1 speed. The aircraft successfully came to a halt on the runway centerline, and airport emergency services attended the scene. There were no injuries to the crew or passengers.
The investigation
Following the event, the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Air Accident Investigation Sector (AAIS) launched an inquiry to determine the cause of the sudden noise and subsequent aborted takeoff. The investigation team examined the aircraft's flight data, the cockpit voice recorder, and conducted a detailed inspection of the nose gear. Furthermore, the investigators analyzed a technical report from the tire manufacturer regarding the condition of the nose wheel assembly.
Findings
Technical analysis revealed that the primary cause of the incident was the separation of the tread from the right-hand nose wheel tire. The investigation also identified the presence of Foreign Object Debris (FOD) as a contributing factor to the tire failure.
Safety action
In response to the incident, the GCAA established the UAE National Runway Safety Team and implemented a comprehensive Safety Action Plan focused on FOD prevention. The airport operator also enhanced its FOD management protocols, which included improved training, more frequent cleaning, and enhanced detection methods. The GCAA issued safety recommendations to review and strengthen existing FOD prevention and awareness programs across all UAE aerodromes.