AAIB investigation to Boeing 737-8AS, EI-ENF

Main gear wheel hub fracture and fire, Manchester Airport, 17 March 2022.

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 12 January 2023

• Category: Commercial - fixed wing
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 17 March 2022
• Aircraft type: Boeing 737-8AS
• Location: Manchester Airport
• Registration: EI-ENF

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.

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Boeing 737-8AS, EI-ENF 01-23

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Published 12 January 2023