Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 17 March 1998
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-37Q
Owner/operator: British Midland Airways
Registration Number: G-ODSK
Location: London-Heathrow Airport (LHR) –
ÿ United Kingdom
Phase of Flight: Standing
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 84
Component Affected: Brake caliper unit attachment to the stub axle.Brake caliper unit attachment to the stub axle.
Investigating Agency: AAIBAAIB
Category: Accident
An aircraft crew was involved in a collision with a baggage belt loader vehicle, resulting in significant structural damage to both the aircraft and the vehicle. A brake system component detached, disrupting the brake system hydraulic pipes. The operator addressed this issue by implementing torque checks and withdrawing units from service, prompting a review of the brake caliper attachment method.An aircraft crew was involved in a collision with a baggage belt loader vehicle, resulting in significant structural damage to both the aircraft and the vehicle. A brake system component detached, disrupting the brake system hydraulic pipes. The operator addressed this issue by implementing torque checks and withdrawing units from service, prompting a review of the brake caliper attachment method.
Description
The aircraft crew was preparing for departure when a baggage belt loader vehicle struck the aircraft causing substantial structural damage to both the aircraft and the vehicle. The vehicle’s forward left disc brake caliper unit had completely detached severing the brake system hydraulic pipes. The operator had noticed that there was a tendency for these caliper attachment screws to lose their toque and had introduced a torque check during every maintenance. The operator has withdrawn all similar units from service while the manufacturer reassesses the method of attachment of the brake caliper unit to the stub axle.
Primary Cause
Failure to properly secure brake caliper unit attachment to the stub axle, leading to a loss of torque and subsequent brake system malfunction.Failure to properly secure brake caliper unit attachment to the stub axle, leading to a loss of torque and subsequent brake system malfunction.Share on:
