Created Tuesday, Aug 17th 2021 13:55Z, last updated Wednesday, Jan 25th 2023 11:06Z
An Edelweiss Airbus A320-200, registration HB-JJL performing flight
WK-348 from Zurich (Switzerland) to Heraklion (Greece) with 138 passengers and 6 crew, was accelerating for takeoff from Zurich's runway 28 when the crew rejected takeoff at high speed (about 90 knots over ground). The aircraft came to a stop just before the intersection with taxiway J about 850 meters/2800 feet down the runway, 3 main tyres deflated, pieces of rubber were left behind the aircraft. Emergency requested the crew to shut the engines down.
The runway was blocked for about 2 hours, until the aircraft was towed off the runway via taxiway J.
Ground observers reported there were bigger objects on the runway behind the aircraft, obviously parts of the tyres. Both left main tyres and the inboard right hand main tyre were damaged.
A passenger reported the initial acceleration was quite normal, then there was a big bang and the aircraft began to shudder. Strong odour of burnt rubber developed in the cabin. They disembarked via stairs onto the runway.
A replacement Airbus A320-200 registration HB-IHZ reached Heraklion with a delay of 3:15 hours.
The airline reported the crew received a system message prompting them to reject takeoff, 3 of 6 tyres burst or deflated.
On Aug 26th 2021 Switzerland's SUST reported almost immediately after the takeoff was rejected at about 80 knots three of the four main wheels became locked. The occurrence was rated a serious incident and is being investigated.
On Jan 25th 2023 the SUST released their preliminary report in German stating that the crew received a warning indication regarding the park brake system at about 80 KIAS and rejected takeoff. During roll out the wheels of the main gear locked.
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