Flight Details
On June 8, 2025, at 15:21 local time, a Cessna 525 CitationJet, registered 9A-JIM, operated by Air Pannonia d.o.o., was involved in a serious incident during landing at Franjo Tuđman International Airport, Croatia. The flight originated from Milano-Linate Airport (LIML) at 14:26 LT, with no passengers on board, as a positioning flight for continued operations from Zagreb. The flight was conducted under a valid flight plan and in accordance with applicable aviation regulations. Weather conditions throughout the flight, including approach and landing, were favorable and did not affect safety.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft, a Cessna 525 CitationJet, was owned and operated by Air Pannonia d.o.o. The crew consisted of two pilots. The commander, a Croatian male born in 1967, held a valid ATPL(A) license with type rating for Cessna 525 and was an authorized instructor and examiner on the entire Cessna 525 series. He reported approximately 8,000 total flight hours, of which about 5,500 were on Cessna 525 aircraft. His medical certificate included restrictions: VML (must wear corrective lenses) and OML (must fly only with a qualified copilot). He had been employed by Air Pannonia since early 2024 as captain, instructor, and examiner on the C525. No information about the other crew member was provided.
Occurrence
The aircraft approached runway 22 from the right traffic pattern. Air traffic control cleared the aircraft to land and to vacate via taxiway B. After touchdown and initial deceleration, the left main landing gear tire burst. The crew maintained control and continued decelerating on the runway. The aircraft eventually stopped between taxiways C and D at 15:21 LT. Due to partial excursion, one main gear wheel contacted the grass adjacent to the runway edge. The crew shut down the engines, secured the aircraft, and requested a follow-me vehicle to assess the situation.
Damage
The tire burst caused mechanical damage to the wheel rim, tire, and landing gear doors. The rim was damaged at its lower part; the tire exhibited ruptures and material loss around its circumference; and the landing gear doors were deformed. Minor mechanical damage was also observed on the left main gear brake. No hydraulic fluid leakage was noted. Additionally, the left main wheel, as it moved onto the grass, excavated a shallow trench approximately ten meters long, thirty to fifty centimeters wide, and up to ten centimeters deep. Dark, nearly parallel tire marks, starting at the runway centerline and curving toward the edge, were left on the asphalt; these were superficial with no cracks or deformation of the pavement.
Aftermath and Injuries
There were no injuries to the two crew members or any other persons. No passengers were on board. The airport was closed to all traffic from 15:21 LT until 00:52 LT the following day for technical intervention. Communication with air traffic control proceeded normally, and no technical irregularities were noted prior to landing.
Investigation and Cause
The Croatian Air, Maritime and Railway Accident Investigation Agency (AIN) conducted the safety investigation. The investigation determined that the cause of the incident was a burst of the left main landing gear tire. No safety recommendations were issued.