What happened
On May 21, 2015, a Boeing 767-300 operated by a German airline was performing a takeoff roll on runway 25C at Frankfurt/Main Airport. The aircraft, carrying 223 passengers and 10 crew members, was cleared for a departure route toward Halifax, Canada. The takeoff decision speed (V1) had been calculated at 151 knots.
Shortly after the aircraft began its takeoff roll, the ground controller was informed that a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft on the parallel runway (25L) was performing a missed approach. To maintain safety, the controller instructed the rolling Boeing 767-300 to stop immediately. The crew responded by reducing engine power and applying the wheel brakes. Data from the Quick Access Recorder (QAR) showed that the aircraft's speed increased to 165 knots before decelerating to a complete stop. The aircraft exited the runway via taxiway L17 and came to rest on taxiway L.
The investigation
The BFU reconstructed the event using the crew's reports, airline statements, ground controller interview transcripts, radio communications, and data from the Quick Access Recorder (QTR). The investigation examined the sequence of events on both parallel runways and analyzed the physical condition of the aircraft following the high-speed deceleration.
Findings
- The primary cause of the rejected takeoff was the instruction from the ground controller to stop the aircraft due to the simultaneous missed approach of a heavy aircraft on the adjacent runway.
- The high-speed braking maneuver caused the brakes on the main landing gear to become extremely hot, necessitating cooling by the airport fire service.
- The intense heat led to the melting of fuses in the front wheels of the left main landing gear and a total loss of pressure in the forward tires of that gear.
- Hydraulic fluid leaks were identified on several wheels of the main landing gear.
- There were no injuries to the passengers or crew, and no third-party damage was reported.