FDR Indicates The Brakes Were Engaged During Approach

If you've ever tried to drive your car with the parking brake engaged, you have an idea what was going on when a JetBlue A320 landed on August 26th in Sacremento resulting in a tire blowout and small fire. The NTSB says in its preliminary report that, according to the aircraft's flight data recorder, the brakes on the main gear were engaged during final approach.

NTSB Identification: WPR10IA430
Scheduled 14 CFR Part 121: Air Carrier operation of JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORP
Incident occurred Thursday, August 26, 2010 in Sacramento, CA
Aircraft: AIRBUS A320-232, registration: N590JB
Injuries: 7 Minor, 84 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On August 26, 2010, at 1251 PDT, an Airbus A320-232, N590JB, operated by JetBlue Airways Corporation as flight #262, landed at Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento, California. During touchdown on runway 16R, the airplane rapidly decelerated, the main landing gear tires blew out, and a minor tire-related fire erupted. All of the occupants in the airplane evacuated via the emergency egress cabin door slides. The airplane sustained minor damage, and 7 of the 86 passengers received minor injuries during the evacuation process. None of the 2 pilots or 3 flight attendants were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the scheduled, 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 121 domestic passenger flight, which originated from Long Beach, California, at 1141.

According to the flight crew, the flight and approach to runway 16R were normal. The first officer was the flying pilot. On touchdown, the airplane began a rapid deceleration, and the first officer remarked to the captain that it felt like a main landing gear tire blew out. About this time, air traffic control tower personnel reported observing sparks and smoke in the area of the main landing gear. The captain took control of the airplane. He maintained directional control, and the airplane came to a stop about 2,000 feet from the touchdown point. The captain directed the first officer to initiate the ground evacuation Quick Reference Checklist up to the evacuation decision point. At that time, air traffic control tower personnel confirmed smoke and fire was still visible around the main landing gear. Based on this information the captain elected to evacuate the airplane. Crash fire rescue personnel and equipment responded to the airplane, which had stopped on the runway. According to the flight crew and flight attendants, a swift and orderly evacuation was performed via emergency evacuation slides at the L1, R1, and L2 doors.

File Photo

The airplane was subsequently examined by the operator and FA personnel. Airplane damage was limited to four deflated main landing gear tires and ground down wheel rims. The main landing gear tires showed evidence of being locked on touchdown. Ground damage was limited to minor grazing to the runway's surface.

According to airplane recorded flight data, the parking brake had become engaged during the landing approach approximately 5,100 feet mean sea level, and it remained engaged throughout the landing. During interviews with the flight crew, neither pilot recalled any abnormal indications or warnings associated with the braking system prior to landing.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov