Incident Overview
On May 13, 2021, an Airbus A321-231 operated by Egyptian Airlines with registration SU-BQL landed at Cairo International Airport (CAI). The incident occurred during the approach to runway 04R. The flight crew reported a flat tire and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) concerns prior to landing.
Operational Sequence
The aircraft touched down at approximately 13:15 local time. Flight Data Recorder (FDR) data indicates that upon touchdown, the auto-brake system failed to engage effectively. The FDR recorded an "Auto Brake Fault" and a deceleration rate significantly lower than expected for a maximum braking scenario. Specifically, the longitudinal acceleration was recorded at -0.1872 g initially, dropping further as the aircraft continued down the runway.
Technical Findings
Investigation into the Flight Crew Operation Manual (FCOM) highlights that the auto-brake system is designed to establish and maintain a selected deceleration rate during landing. For MAX mode activation, the system requires specific conditions, including ground spoiler extension and wheel speeds above 40 knots. In this instance, despite the crew selecting the appropriate braking mode, the system did not provide the expected maximum deceleration. The FDR data shows that at a ground speed of 77 knots, the auto-brake was off, and the brake paddle angle indicated manual intervention rather than automatic control.
Outcome
Due to the insufficient braking force, the aircraft failed to stop within the available runway length and overshot the end of runway 04R. The investigation noted that the anti-skid system was active, but the primary issue remained the failure of the auto-brake function to engage as per standard operating procedures.