AAIB investigation to Boeing 737-8AS, EI-ENF
Main gear wheel hub fracture and fire, Manchester Airport, 17 March 2022.
Summary:
Whilst taxiing to the gate after landing, the outboard wheel on the left main gear failed because of a fatigue crack in the wheel hub. The wheel failure caused a hydraulic leak from the brake piston and the heat generated by the misaligned wheel, caused the hydraulic fluid to combust resulting in a fire.
The fatigue crack originated from a corrosion pit in the wheel hub. Following this occurrence, the wheel manufacturer developed an ultrasonic inspection technique to identify cracks in this location on the hub and the operator has incorporated the new inspection into their maintenance programme.
Download report:
Download glossary of abbreviations:
Published 12 January 2023