What happened
On 17 November 2001, a DC-10-100, registration G-DPSP, was performing a passenger flight when it landed at Manchester Airport. The arrival appeared routine, with the crew and 362 passengers noticing no unusual vibrations or sounds during the landing or subsequent taxiing to the stand.
However, a post-landing runway inspection identified significant amounts of tyre debris on the surface. Upon inspecting the aircraft, it was discovered that the forward right-hand tyre on the right main landing gear had burst. The failure caused rubber marks and small dents on the wing skin located above the tyre. Additionally, a six-inch hole was found in an aluminium honeycomb inspection panel situated just forward of the flaps. The runway was closed for roughly one hour to clear the debris, and the aircraft was eventually returned to service following repairs and the replacement of three wheels and tyres on the right main gear.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the failed tyre, which was a fourth remould that had been in service for 134 landings since its last remould. The investigation focused on the structural integrity of the tyre carcass and the pressure levels maintained during operation.
Investigators also reviewed the construction of the damaged panel, which was a lightweight, 0.25-inch thick aluminium honeycomb component. The investigation extended to manufacturer records and FAA Service Difficulty Reports, which identified 165 similar tyre failure reports for the DC-10 and MD11 fleets, though only two were noted as being similar to this specific event.
Findings
- The investigation established that the tyre had been under inflated.
- The tyre carcass had suffered fatigue from over-deflection, leading to a burst that released the tread once the carcass strength was insufficient.
- There were no injuries to the 12 crew members or 362 passengers.