What happened
On June 8, 2025, an ATR72-212A, registration EC-MSJ, operated by Canarias Airlines, was landing on runway 30 at Tenerife Norte Airport (GCXO) following a flight from La Palma. During the landing roll, the aircraft experienced a sudden, extreme vibration at approximately 70 knots indicated airspeed. This vibration was accompanied by a steering failure warning on the Engine Warning Display (EWD).
The loss of a component from the nose gear steering mechanism caused the nose gear wheels to pivot approximately 90 degrees. This misalignment resulted in the bursting of both nose tires. The aircraft subsequently traveled approximately 170 meters with the wheels misaligned and another 10 meters on the rims after the tires deflated, ultimately coming to a halt and blocking the runway. There were no injuries among the 73 passengers and 5 crew members on board.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the loss of the intermediate torque link pin from the nose landing gear. Laboratory analysis conducted by Safran Landing Systems on the recovered pin, nut, and one washer revealed that the components met all technical specifications. Crucially, the investigation ruled out corrosion as a cause, as no corrosion was found on the threads of the pin or the nut, which had been a known issue in previous service bulletins.
Investigators also examined maintenance records and the use of wheel chocks. While it was noted that chocks were being placed on the right side of the nose gear instead of the left (contrary to manufacturer instructions), the investigation concluded this was unlikely to have caused the specific failure. The investigation also identified that the sealant used on the torque link pin in the fleet was often deteriorated or applied incorrectly by the maintenance provider.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the loss of the intermediate torque link pin from the nose landing gear.
- The investigation could not definitively determine why the pin was lost, but it ruled out improper component specifications or corrosion.
- The most probable cause was that the nut on the pin had unscrewed over time because the locking washer was not installed, allowing the pin to detach.
- Maintenance findings revealed that the sealant application process for the torque link pins across the operator's fleet was inconsistent, with many instances of deteriorated or non-approved sealant.