What happened
On November 4, 2024, a Tecnam P2012 Traveller, registration B-86002, operated by TransAsia Airways, was returning to Kinmen Airport following an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) flight from Taipei/Songshan. During the landing roll on Runway 06 at 19:25, the left main tire burst. The aircraft came to a stop on the runway with no injuries to the crew or passengers.
Subsequent inspections by maintenance personnel revealed significant structural damage. On November 5, after removing the left landing gear gear bay fairings, technicians found wrinkles in the external skin and seven broken rivets. Further inspection on November 7, involving the removal of internal cabin sidewall panels, revealed deformation in the fuselage frames both forward and aft of the left landing gear gear box.
The investigation
The Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB) examined the aircraft's flight data from the G1000 avionics system and the Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorder (CVFDR). The investigation focused on the cause of the tire burst and the origin of the structural damage.
Investigators analyzed the landing parameters, noting that while the G1000 recorded a vertical acceleration of 1.86 g's during the incident, the 1 Hz sampling rate of the system might have missed higher peak values. The investigation also reviewed the airline's safety management system, pilot training programs, and maintenance protocols regarding hard landings and heavy braking.
Findings
- The left main tire burst was likely caused by the pilot applying left brake pressure during rudder input during the landing roll, preventing the wheel from rotating and causing the tire tread to skid and wear through against the runway.
- The structural damage to the fuselage frames and skin was likely caused by a previous hard landing where the impact force exceeded the design load. While the recent landing showed a right bank of 1.1 degrees, flight data from January 24, 2024, showed a landing with a significant left bank of 11.5 degrees and high vertical acceleration, which aligns with the pattern of left-side damage.
- The airline's safety management system failed to effectively encourage the proactive reporting of suspected hard landings, meaning structural damage could remain undetected between scheduled heavy maintenance intervals.
- Pilot proficiency was identified as a risk factor, as the lack of flight simulators for the P2012 and the irregular nature of EMS missions led to low flight hours and inconsistent training opportunities, particularly for pilots transitioning from larger aircraft.