What happened
On 25 February 2006, an Airbus A340-642, registration G-VSHY, was completing a passenger flight from Los Angeles to London Heathrow. During the final approach to Runway 09R, the flight crew encountered strong, gusting crosswinds and turbulence. To manage the landing in these conditions, the commander disengaged the autopilot at 275 ft and transitioned to manual control.
As the aircraft entered the flare, a sudden and severe change in wind speed and direction occurred. The aircraft began to drift significantly to the right of the runway centreline. In an effort to maintain control and prevent the aircraft from departing the runway, the commander reduced the flare, leading to a touchdown with a drift angle of approximately 10.2 degrees. This landing caused the two outer tyres of the right main landing gear to burst upon contact with the runway surface.
Following the incident, the aircraft vacated the runway and was brought to a halt on a taxiway. Passengers were evacuated via bus. While the aircraft remained on the paved surface, the burst tyres caused secondary damage to the landing gear components and flaps.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the aircraft's flight data recorders, which captured the approach and landing parameters. The investigation focused on the wind conditions, the aircraft's handling, and the physical state of the landing gear and tyres. Engineers inspected the wheel assemblies, the brake units, and the runway surface. The investigation also reviewed the manufacturer's technical bulletins regarding crosswind landing techniques and the performance limits of the Michelin NZG tyres.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating within the manufacturer's maximum demonstrated crosswind limits, but encountered sudden severe turbulence during the flare stage of the landing.
- The decision to expedite the touchdown prevented a potential runway excursion that might have occurred had a go-around been attempted.
- The two outer tyres on the right main gear burst due to the high lateral and vertical loads experienced during the off-centre touchdown.
- The tyres were found to be in a serviceable condition prior to the event, with no evidence of incorrect inflation or pre-existing defects.
- The aircraft's flight control inputs were consistent with the pilot's attempt to manage a difficult manual landing in gusty conditions.