B737 Tire Failures

  B737

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Two distinctive aspects: Tire failure on takeoff and/or tire tire failure on on landing. Second aspect aspect is more or less the consequence of the first one! Tire bursting incidents occur regularly. You should should read   Tires Burst and What you know about you tires   articles in the SmartCockpit Flight Ops section Ops  section (subsection Aircraft (subsection  Aircraft Systems & Instruments). Instruments).

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Remember that  B737 tires are serviced with nitrogen.

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Tire speed speed limit = 225 225 MPH MPH / 195 195 kt. kt.

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Common causes for tire failures: - Tires may suffer significan significantt strain (each (each element may be submitted submitted to about about 1000 g’s of  centrifugal force). - Foreign Foreign Object Object Damage Damage (FOD). (FOD). - Inadequate inflation pressure. - Hot Hot spot spot.. - Overweight Overweight landi landing, ng, - High taxi taxi speed combined combined with heavy heavy gross gross weight and a long taxi distance distance can result result in tire sidewall overheating. - Prolonged brake applications. - Rejected Rejected takeoff  takeoff 

TIRE FAILURE ON TAKEOFF 

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Prior to 80 knots, the takeoff should should be rejected for any tire failure. failure. If the crew suspect suspects s a tire tire failur failure e during during takeoff takeoff,, the ATS facility facility serving serving the depart departing ing airpor airportt should should be advise advised d of the potentia potentiall for tire tire pieces pieces remainin remaining g on the runway. runway. The crew should should consid consider er contin continuin uing g to the destin destinati ation on unless unless there there is an indica indicatio tion n that that other other damage damage has occurred (non-normal engine indications, engine vibrations, hydraulic system failures or leaks, etc.). Continuin Continuing g to the destinatio destination n will allow allow the airplane airplane weight weight to be reduced reduced normally, normally, and provide provide the crew an opportunity to plan and coordinate their arrival and landing when the workload is low. Considerations in selecting a landing airport include, but are not limited to: - Sufficient runway runway length and acceptable acceptable surface conditions conditions to account for the possible loss of  of  braking effectiveness; effectiveness; - Sufficient runway runway width to account for possible directional control difficulties; difficulties; - Altitude Altitude and temperatur temperature e conditions conditions that could result result in high ground ground speeds speeds on touchdown touchdown and adverse taxi conditions; - Runway Runway selection selection options options regarding regarding "taxi-in" distance distance after landing; landing; - Availability of operator maintenance personnel personnel to meet the airplane after after landing to inspect the wheels, tires, and brakes before continued taxi; - Availability of of support facilities should should the airplane airplane need repair. repair.

Copyright 2006 SmartCockpit.com SmartCockpit.com Version 01 (Nov.06)

  B737 BRIEFINGS 

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  B737

BRIEFINGS 

TIRE FAILURE ON LANDING 

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Boeing airplanes are designed so that the landing gear and remaining tire(s) have adequate strength to accommodate a flat nose gear tire or main gear tire. Once the nose gear is down, vibration levels may be affected by increasing or decreasing control column back pressure. With a single tire failure, towing is not necessary unless unusual vibration is noticed or other  failures have occurred.

Maintenance and Exterior Inspection is very important: - Daily check - Correct tire pressure - Thorough walkaround inspection Respect SOPs / Boeing taxi speeds.

TIRE FAILURE ON TAKEOFF 

Check engine parameters.

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Monitor fuel leak (hard aircraft debris could damage the lower part of the wings)

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Continue straight ahead or follow emergency turn procedure (if applicable)

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Always think twice before retracting gear and then flaps.

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After takeoff and > MSA, take up the hold to evaluate potential structural damage.

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Ask yourself the good questions: « If vibrations stopped on initial lift-off, it is maybe a nose landing  gear tire burst », « On which side of the aircraft did I feel vibrations? »

Copyright 2006 SmartCockpit.com Version 01 (Nov.06)

  B737 BRIEFINGS 

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  B737

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TIRE FAILURE ON LANDING 

Consider reducing landing weight before coming back to the airport.

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Use normal approach and flare technique.

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Land on the centerline.

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Use differential braking as required for directional control. With a single tire failure, towing is not necessary unless unusual vibration is noticed or other failures have occurred.

FLAT NOSE GEAR TIRE Slowly and gently lower the nose wheel to the runway while braking lightly. Once the nose gear is down, vibration levels may be affected by increasing or  decreasing control column back pressure. Maintain nose gear contact with the runway.

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Special technique

Speedbrakes Reverse

FLAT MAIN GEAR TIRE - Flat main gear tire(s) cause(s) a general loss of braking effectiveness and a yawing moment toward the flat tire with light or no braking and a yawing moment away from the flat tire if  the brakes are applied harder.

Yes

Yes

Idle Reverse (Runway length permitting)

Use idle or higher reverse thrust as needed

Lower settings only

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Autobrake

Note: Extended taxi distances or fast taxi speeds can cause significant increases in temperatures on the remaining tires.

TIRE FAILURE ON TAKEOFF 

Do not rush while experiencing a tire failure (without fire) on takeoff: assess aircraft status and always wait to be  >  400 feet before any action.

TIRE FAILURE ON LANDING 

Avoid overweight landing.

Copyright 2006 SmartCockpit.com Version 01 (Nov.06)

  B737 BRIEFINGS 

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