Wheel of Aer Lingus flight arriving in Belfast risked falling on ‘urban area’

The incident happened on an Aer Lingus morning flight between Edinburgh and Belfast City Airport on October 31, 2023.

According to the Air Accident Investigation Branch report, one of the two wheels under the nose of the aircraft became detached as it was taking off from Edinburgh Airport.

Airport and flight crew failed to notice the detachment until the plane was landing in Belfast and proceeded to be taxied onto the stand.

Despite missing one of its two front wheels, the plane was described as “stable”, but additional support was added to the nosewheel to provide protection against the wind.

There were four crew members and 55 passengers on board the flight, and no injuries were recorded.

The wheel was found next to the runway at Edinburgh, along with a number of components related to it, including the wheel axle nut.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the fractured axle was likely caused by an overheated bearing, but could not determine exactly what caused it to overheat.

Investigators from the AAIB report said the nose wheel would "not have been easily detectable" by staff in Edinburgh as it "came to rest" away from the runway surface.

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