Mumbai: A Mumbai-bound SpiceJet aircraft’s tyre rolled off during take-off roll at Kandla on Friday. The pilots continued with the flight, and the aircraft landed safely at Mumbai airport where a ‘full emergency’ was declared as a precaution. No injuries were reported. The incident occurred around 2.40pm when the aircraft was speeding for departure from runway 23 of the Kandla airport in Gujarat. The Bombardier DHC-8-400 has a tricycle landing gear system with a total of six wheels — two wheels on the nose gear and two main wheels on each of the main landing gear. A video of the incident, taken by a passenger on board, showed the outer wheel of the right-hand side landing gear roll off just as the aircraft lifts off the runway. The errant tyre can be seen rolling off the runway into the unpaved portion, while the aircraft climbs and the lone remaining tyre on the right is retracted into the landing gear bay. A man can be heard saying, “Wheel nikal gaya” (Wheel came off).“During take-off, the tower controller at the Kandla air traffic control observed a black coloured big object separating from the aircraft. It fell from the right side on the runway and rolled like a tyre. A jeep sent for inspection found an intact tyre and metal rings,” said a source. An aircraft maintenance engineer said that a wheel could come off because of a number of reasons, such as problem with the locking device, under-torqued axle nut, bearing seizure, improper wheel installation or fatigue leading to failure of retention hardware. Spice Jet confirmed the incident. “An outer wheel of a SpiceJet Q400 aircraft operating from Kandla to Mumbai was found at the runway after take-off. The aircraft continued its journey to Mumbai and landed safely. Following a smooth landing, the aircraft taxied to the terminal under its own power, and all passengers disembarked normally,” said a SpiceJet spokesperson. A Mumbai airport spokesperson said an aircraft from Kandla made an emergency landing at 3.51pm, after the pilots reported a technical issue. “A full emergency was declared as a precaution. The aircraft landed safely on runway 27. Normal operations resumed shortly after.” In a ‘full emergency’, medical and emergency services such as fire brigades, ambulances are on standby when the aircraft lands. Last Sep, the Indian aviation regulator had placed SpiceJet under enhanced surveillance after a special audit found deficiencies in its engineering facilities. The airline’s financial constraints had raised concerns over flight safety. However, financial issues have been resolved. On Thursday, SpiceJet announced that it had reached a settlement with Carlyle Aviation Partners, unlocking US $ 79.6 Million in cash maintenance reserves for future aircraft and engine maintenance, plus US $ 9.9 million in cash maintenance credits to offset its lease obligations.
