History of the Flight
On Friday, 19 February 2021, an ATR 72-212A aircraft, registration EC-LYJ, operated by Swiftair, was conducting a scheduled cargo flight from Ibiza to Madrid with a stopover in Palma de Mallorca. The aircraft landed at Palma de Mallorca Airport at 21:00 local time. After loading, the crew performed required inspections and took off from runway 24R at approximately 22:00 h without reporting any anomalies. The flight continued to Madrid-Adolfo Suárez Airport, where it landed normally on runway 32R at about 23:30 h.
Damage Detection
Upon arrival in Madrid, maintenance personnel discovered that the tread from tyre No. 2 on the left main landing gear had separated and that the wheel had sustained damage. The maintenance service alerted the Madrid-Barajas Airport Management Centre at 00:19 h on 20 February to request a runway inspection. The inspection at 00:48 h found no debris along the aircraft's taxi route. It was decided that the operator would inform the departure airport, Palma de Mallorca.
Crew Awareness
According to crew statements, they were unaware of the incident during flight or after landing. They learned of the event the following day when the company requested an explanation.
Runway Debris Discovery
At Palma de Mallorca Airport on Saturday, 20 February at 08:07 local time, the crew of a departing flight reported tyre debris on runway 24R. This prompted a runway inspection and cleaning process.
Injuries and Damage
Both occupants, the two crew members, were unharmed. The aircraft sustained minor damage.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined the cause as the rupture and detachment of the tread from tyre No. 2 on the main landing gear of the aircraft during the take-off run.