AA767 at Rio de Janeiro Blows Tires, Haters-Gonna-Hates to Gate

MikeD said:
I can't imagine there would be any routine or logical reason to knowingly taxi in like this. That's why I'd like to know more.
Click to expand...

No clue.

We had a single tire rupture (I can't in good faith say, on the internet, say I blew a tire because there's always someone named "tire" I guess) during a high-speed RTO in SLC about a decade ago. Maintenance came out and suggested we taxi, very slowly, to the gate.

I think it just all depends on the situation.
 
MikeD said:
Anymore actual info about this?
Click to expand...
According to flightradar24, the a/c did a maintenance turn to Tulsa before the DFW-GIG leg. No subsequent activity since the incident flight, so it appears to still be in Brazil.

My recollection is that some sensors are a factory option (e.g. brake temperature readout; is there a limitation for that, or just the quick turnaround times?) I cannot comment on how this aircraft was equipped, so it's possible nothing was displayed.
 
Derg said:
No clue.

We had a single tire rupture (I can't in good faith say, on the internet, say I blew a tire because there's always someone named "tire" I guess) during a high-speed RTO in SLC about a decade ago. Maintenance came out and suggested we taxi, very slowly, to the gate.

I think it just all depends on the situation.
Click to expand...

One tire out of 4 on a bogie is one thing....and following inspection by maintenance. All four tires on a bogie that is still smoking, no inspection done, the metal grounding on the concrete and no idea of other damage; I have a hard time seeing how taxiing with pax onboard could be any kind of conservative option, pending the blowout was known, however....

Minuteman said:
According to flightradar24, the a/c did a maintenance turn to Tulsa before the DFW-GIG leg. No subsequent activity since the incident flight, so it appears to still be in Brazil.

My recollection is that some sensors are a factory option (e.g. brake temperature readout; is there a limitation for that, or just the quick turnaround times?) I cannot comment on how this aircraft was equipped, so it's possible nothing was displayed.
Click to expand...

May be nothing displayed, but hard to believe that and entire bogie with flat tires and still smoking wouldn't be noticed either by the crew, ATC, ground vehicles, or other aircraft. I mean, besides the photographer noticing enough to video it.

Just interested to know more.
 
Baronman said:
Why do you say that?
Click to expand...

jexx28.jpg
 
MikeD said:
One tire out of 4 on a bogie is one thing....and following inspection by maintenance. All four tires on a bogie that is still smoking, no inspection done, the metal grounding on the concrete and no idea of other damage; I have a hard time seeing how taxiing with pax onboard could be any kind of conservative option, pending the blowout was known, however....
Click to expand...

Not to mention what happens if they get to the gate and something ignites- now your doors are disarmed and the pax terminal is at risk.
 
That bogie is finished. Axles in all likelyhood are heat damaged. Hydraulic lines and wiring heat damaged. Look how close the brake torque links are to the ground, more than likely damaged. Your going to have to jack the wing just to get a jack underneath the bogie to change all four tires and brakes. Who knows what you'll find when you get those off. Best case, change tires and brakes and ferry it home. Worst case complete gear change in Brazil..
 
RDoug said:
And I find it hard to fathom how the pilots didn't know all the right mains were gone. First clue is a call from the head flight attendant: "Captain, the drinks in first class are all sloshing out of the glass to starboard."
Click to expand...
Captain said "It's a Boeing. We're still going."
 
JetDoc said:
That bogie is finished. Axles in all likelyhood are heat damaged. Hydraulic lines and wiring heat damaged. Look how close the brake torque links are to the ground, more than likely damaged. Your going to have to jack the wing just to get a jack underneath the bogie to change all four tires and brakes. Who knows what you'll find when you get those off. Best case, change tires and brakes and ferry it home. Worst case complete gear change in Brazil..
Click to expand...

Exactly. You're asking for a fire to erupt, taxiing in like this with unknown/unchecked damage. Absolutely no reason to. I'm all about benefit of the doubt, but I have a hard time believing the crew wouldn't be aware of what's going on or that something is damaged down there. And not only to taxi the damaged plane as was, but to do so with pax aboard with all the unknowns and potential dangers.

I'm just curious of any SOPs that would direct or allow this practice. I couldn't think of any existing, at least anywhere I came from. Any 121 guys aware of any here?

NewYorkophile said:
Not to mention what happens if they get to the gate and something ignites- now your doors are disarmed and the pax terminal is at risk.
Click to expand...

Agreed. A plane catching fire at the gate is not just an aircraft fire, it now one with structure exposure, if the fire can' be immediately contained/extinguished in the wheel well.
 
Last edited:
MikeD said:
Exactly. You're asking for a fire to erupt, taxiing in like this with unknown/unchecked damage. Absolutely no reason to. I'm all about benefit of the doubt, but I have a hard time believing the crew wouldn't be aware of what's going on or that something is damaged down there. And not only to taxi the damaged plane as was, but to do so with pax aboard with all the unknowns and potential dangers.

I'm just curious of any SOPs that would direct or allow this practice. I couldn't think of any existing, at least anywhere I came from. Any 121 guys aware of any here?



Agreed. A plane catching fire at the gate is not just an aircraft fire, it now one with structure exposure, if the fire can' be immediately contained/extinguished in the wheel well.
Click to expand...

While I agree with all of your technical assessments, Brazil is one of the countries I WOULDN'T ever stop on a runway and wait.

Depending on other factors, I might even taxi closer to the gate in this situation.

Certain countries I have operated to, I would give the crew a lot more leeway as to the process between weighing risks of moving the aircraft under distress versus stopping and awaiting emergency equipment.

In the US, the choice is obvious. There are plenty of other countries around the world where the same applies. However, Brazil isn't one IMO.
 
I love some of the comments on the avherald website. :rolleyes:

Don't know what all the fuss is about- there is still plenty of rubber on all the wheels. The problem was low pressure in the tires, hence contact from rims with the ground. I'm sure AA maintenance just needs to to put enough air to get rims off the concrete and she's good to fly back out. My concern on walk around would be how to get all the concrete dust, debris off the gear assembly- looks like a piece of equipment that's been sitting outside in the desert for ten years.
Click to expand...

at picture #2 how exactly the wheels follow the white guidance stripes, just perfect.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top