Investigation finds Edinburgh flight crew didn't notice wheel had fallen off plane during take-off

An investigation has found a flight crew “didn’t know” that a plane wheel had fallen off during take-off from Edinburgh Airport, but that it was not “easily detectable”.

The Emerald Airlines aircraft, carrying 55 passengers and four crew, was heading to Belfast on October 31, 2023.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) found that while taking off at around 9am, the right wheel from the nose leg gear detached from the plane.

The report found that the airfield operations department did not spot that the wheel had fallen off and the flight crew was also unaware.

Emerald Airlines aircraft quarantined at Belfast City Airport. AAIB

The flight continued and landed at Belfast City Airport without a hard landing or any “abnormal indications or adverse aircraft performance”.

None of the nearly 60 people on board were injured.

But as the plane taxied into a stand, the missing wheel was noticed.

The report stated there were no indications made to the flight crew during the flight that the nosewheel had detached.

The missing nosewheel was not “easily detectable” because it came to rest away from the runway surface at Edinburgh.

It was found after inspections of both airfields which included assistance from local police.

The report concluded the wheel’s axle had sheared off and showed evidence of heat damage.

It said the wheel could have fallen on an urban area had it detached while approaching Belfast.

The AAIB said the axle failed due to a fracture caused by overheat of the bearings in the wheel.

“Whilst the root cause of the failure could not be positively determined, factors were identified that could have contributed to the bearing overheat resulting from non-conformances with approved maintenance procedures,” the investigation found.

“The manufacturer highlighted the importance of adherence to aircraft and component maintenance manuals.”

A spokesperson from Emerald Airlines, exclusive operator of Aer Lingus Regional services, said: “Emerald Airlines acknowledges the release of the Investigation Report by the AAIB regarding Flight EI3651.

“The aircraft operated normally throughout the flight and landed safely at Belfast City Airport, where passengers disembarked as normal.

“At no point was safety compromised.

“As the safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority, recommendations stemming from any investigation are carefully reviewed for implementation.”