EASA SIB 2008-89
Tire Failure — Locked Carbon Disc Brake due to Moisture Absorption and Freezing.
Summary
EASA Safety Information Bulletin SIB No. 2008-89 addresses the risk of tire failure caused by locked carbon disc brakes due to moisture absorption and freezing. This bulletin applies to all fixed-wing aircraft equipped with carbon disc brakes and highlights the potential for brake freezing during flight or after exposure to moisture, which can lead to tire rupture and significant aircraft damage upon landing. The bulletin supports Transport Canada Civil Aviation's Service Difficulty Advisory AV-2008-08 and provides safety recommendations for operators and maintenance personnel.
What Changed
This new safety information bulletin introduces awareness about the hazard of moisture-induced freezing in carbon disc brakes, which can cause locked wheels and tire failure. It consolidates findings from Transport Canada and SAE Aerospace Information Report AIR4762, emphasizing the need for proper brake heating and protection procedures. The bulletin does not mandate actions but strongly recommends best practices to mitigate this risk.
Why It Matters
This bulletin is important for aviation professionals because it highlights a safety risk that can cause severe damage to aircraft systems, including hydraulic and electrical components, due to tire failure from locked brakes. Operators and maintenance teams must understand the conditions that lead to brake freezing to prevent costly repairs and ensure safe landings. Awareness and proper handling of carbon disc brakes exposed to moisture are critical to maintaining aircraft airworthiness and operational safety.
What To Do
Operators and maintenance personnel should protect carbon disc brakes from moisture exposure, especially during washing, and inform flight crews if brakes have been recently soaked. Flight crews are advised to use light brake applications during taxi to warm brakes before takeoff, monitor brake temperatures if possible, and perform positive landings to ensure wheel rotation and brake release. Tires should be inspected for flat spots after operations on wet, snowy, or slushy surfaces. No explicit compliance deadline is stated.
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