Ryanair aircraft tyres burst during 2024 Milan landing

During a landing at Milan Bergamo Airport in Italy on October 1, 2024, a Ryanair Boeing 737-8200 MAX aircraft experienced a catastrophic failure of all four main landing gear tyres. This incident, investigated by the Italian Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authority (ANSV), was traced to a critical mistake by the flight crew who inadvertently deactivated the anti-skid braking system during the landing sequence.

The crew's actions, following a deactivation of the anti-skid system the previous day due to a fault, were based on a faulty sequence of operations. Despite the absence of specific fault evidence, the aircraft's anti-skid system was left inoperative following maintenance checks. This decision, based on a discrepancy in Boeing's documentation regarding the deactivation of an operative anti-skid channel, led to the system being inadvertently turned off during the crucial landing phase.

The ANSV report highlighted several contributory factors, including the flight crew's inadequate training in flight simulators for landings with an inoperative anti-skid system, leading to an incorrect sequence of actions. Additionally, the absence of clear and timely instructions in the aircraft manuals exacerbated the situation. The report also noted the significant damage inflicted on the plane's wheels, braking system, and runway, necessitating resurfacing before normal operations could resume.

Ryanair, in response to the incident and its own internal investigation, made sweeping changes to its procedures. The maximum repair window for fault rectification was reduced from 10 days to just one flight. Furthermore, Ryanair made it mandatory for flight crews to seek an operational briefing from their duty pilot on the procedures, restrictions, and threats associated with operating an aircraft with an inoperative anti-skid system.

The ANSV issued three safety recommendations to Boeing, underscoring the importance of clear and timely guidance in such critical scenarios.