What Really Happened? Plane Wheel Detached in Africa!

Summary

In this video, ATR captain Magnar Nordal discusses a serious incident involving a Green Africa Airways ATR 72-600, which lost a nose wheel shortly after takeoff. Despite the initial observation of an object rolling off the aircraft, the information was not relayed to the pilots. The aircraft landed safely at Abuja Airport but demonstrated unusual landing behavior, raising concerns about potential causes such as metal fatigue, a missing split pin, or manufacturing defects. The video emphasizes the importance of thorough pre-flight inspections and the use of approved parts to enhance safety in aviation operations.

Takeaways

• 🛬 ATR aircraft have double sets of wheels to ensure safety; losing one wheel can still allow for a safe landing.
• 🔍 On July 24, 2024, an ATR 72-600 operated by Green Africa Airways lost a nose wheel shortly after takeoff from Ilorin Airport.
• 📞 Ground personnel observed an object rolling off the aircraft during takeoff, but this information was not relayed to the pilots.
• 🕒 The aircraft landed at Abuja Airport 55 minutes later, where it was discovered that the nose wheel was missing.
• 👨‍✈️ Magnar Nordal, an ATR captain, highlighted the seriousness of losing a wheel and its potential dangers.
• ⚙️ The preliminary report from Nigeria's NSIB indicated that the nose wheel assembly was installed just days before the incident.
• 📏 The aircraft landed well beyond the typical touchdown zone, which raised concerns about directional control.
• 🌧️ The landing conditions included rain and a tailwind, which affected the landing dynamics.
• 🔧 Potential causes for the wheel loss included hard landings, missing split pins, and manufacturing imperfections in the hardware.
• ✅ The conclusion emphasized the importance of thorough pre-flight inspections and using approved parts to prevent future incidents.

Q & A

Why do passenger aircraft have double sets of wheels?

Passenger aircraft have double sets of wheels to ensure safety in case one wheel fails, allowing the aircraft to land safely.

What incident occurred on July 24, 2024, involving an ATR 72-600?

An ATR 72-600 operated by Green Africa Airways took off with a missing nose wheel, which was observed rolling off during takeoff.

What was the outcome of the inspection conducted after the aircraft landed?

Upon landing, ground personnel notified the crew that a nose wheel was missing, confirming the earlier observations.

Who is Magnar Nordal and what is his connection to the incident?

Magnar Nordal is an ATR captain and instructor who previously flew for Green Africa Airways and shared insights about the incident.

What were the possible causes of the nose wheel detachment suggested in the investigation?

Possible causes included a hard touchdown leading to metal fatigue, a missing split pin, or manufacturing defects in the locking nut.

What does the term 'pilot monitoring' and 'pilot flying' refer to?

In this context, 'pilot monitoring' (PM) refers to the captain's role in overseeing the flight, while 'pilot flying' (PF) refers to the first officer's role in controlling the aircraft.

What was unusual about the aircraft's landing distance?

The aircraft landed 1,222 meters past the threshold of the runway, which is beyond the normal touchdown zone, indicating a longer landing roll than typical.

How does the design of aircraft landing gear contribute to safety during incidents like this?

The design includes multiple wheels and redundancy in the landing gear, allowing safe landings even with a wheel missing.

What was found about the locking nut during the investigation?

A self-locking nut showed signs of axial play upon inspection, and it was from the same batch as the nut that led to the wheel detachment.

What key recommendations were made following the incident?

Recommendations included avoiding landings on the nose wheel, conducting proper walkarounds before flights, and ensuring only approved parts are used.