Aircraft's nose wheel bursts, passengers safe

Chennai: Ninety-two passengers on board the Chennai-Mumbai Air India (IC-971) flight on Friday had a narrow escape as a nose wheel burst while it was taxiing for takeoff at 8 am.
As the wheel burst with a deafening sound, the pilot applied the brakes and stopped the plane a few metres before the end of the runway. The passengers were asked to alight and taken to the terminal in a bus, while the aircraft was towed away to the hangar. Passengers were accommodated in another flight that took off at 9.30 am.
A pilot told TOI that the situation could have become serious had the pilot failed to notice it and continued with the takeoff. "A burst tyre, if pulled in, can damage the hydraulic system. It can also prove disastrous when the aircraft tries to land," he said.
An airport official said the plane was taxiing at a speed of about 20 nautical miles when the nose wheel burst. Officials rushed towards the aircraft on hearing the sound. Fire tenders and a rapid action team also reached the spot.
The pilot alerted the air traffic controller about the accident and assured passengers that there was no need for panic.
08/11/08 Times of India

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Categories: Air India Domestic Nov 2008, Airports Nov 2008, NACIL Nov 2008, Safety Nov 2008