Breaking News: A safety investigation has found that a Ryanair aircraft suffered four burst tyres during landing in Italy after its anti-skid braking system had been disabled following a persistent fault. The incident did not cause injuries, but it led to significant damage to the aircraft and runway and has prompted changes to operating procedures.
The aircraft involved was an Irish-registered Boeing 737-8200 MAX flying from Barcelona to Milan Bergamo Airport on October 1st, 2024. According to findings published by Italy’s civil aviation safety investigators, 162 passengers and six crew were on board when all four tyres on the main landing gear blew out on touchdown. Everyone left the aircraft safely on the runway.
Breaking News Ireland readers: what happened on the Ryanair flight?
The core finding from the Italian Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authority was that the serious incident occurred during a landing carried out with the aircraft’s anti-skid system unavailable. Investigators said the crew had prepared for that condition correctly, but an unintended sequence during landing caused brake pressure to be applied before the speed brakes were deployed.
That sequence mattered. Without the anti-skid protection active, the brakes locked on touchdown, leading to the tyre blowouts. Investigators said the aircraft had reached the runway at the correct speed and with the proper descent profile, meaning the problem was not caused by an unstable approach.
For passengers, the immediate impact was disruption rather than injury. The aircraft remained on the runway after landing, passengers disembarked there, and operations at Milan Bergamo were affected while damage was assessed and repairs began.
Why the anti-skid system was disabled
The investigation found the aircraft’s anti-skid system had been deactivated the previous day after a warning light repeatedly illuminated during several flights from Barcelona. Maintenance checks did not initially identify a specific fault, and the aircraft was returned to service with the anti-skid system still inoperative under the applicable maintenance framework.
After several more flights, technicians identified a faulty sensor linked to one of the two anti-skid channels. However, the report found that a spare component was not available, and the system remained disabled.
Investigators also highlighted a documentation issue involving Boeing guidance. The report said there was a discrepancy in wording over whether an operative anti-skid channel “must not” or “should not” be deactivated. That difference may appear small, but in aviation maintenance language it can affect operational decisions. The authority said that inconsistency may have contributed to an operative channel being unnecessarily disabled.
What investigators said caused the tyre blowouts
The report points to a combination of technical, procedural and training-related factors rather than a single error in isolation. The confirmed findings include:
- The aircraft was operating with its anti-skid braking system disabled.
- The crew had planned for a landing without anti-skid protection.
- The plane approached the runway within the correct speed and descent parameters.
- Brake pressure was inadvertently applied before speed brake deployment.
- The locked brakes caused all four main landing gear tyres to burst.
Investigators also said there was not enough clear guidance in the aircraft manuals setting out a sufficiently timely and precise sequence for this type of landing. That finding is important because abnormal landings depend heavily on exact procedural order.
Training and safety issues raised by the report
One of the strongest findings concerns flight crew preparation. The report said Ryanair’s training programme did not include practical simulator sessions for landing an aircraft with the anti-skid system inoperative. Investigators listed that as a contributory factor.
In practical terms, that means pilots may have understood the theory and operational restrictions, but without simulator repetition, rare abnormal scenarios can become harder to manage under pressure in real time.
The investigation also drew attention to the manuals used in this kind of event. It said there was less than adequate evidence that crews were being given a clear and timely sequence of the required actions for a landing without anti-skid support. In aviation safety, clarity in non-normal checklists and supporting documentation is critical because a small deviation can escalate quickly on touchdown.
How Ryanair responded after the incident
Following its own internal investigation, Ryanair introduced changes aimed at reducing the risk of a repeat event. The airline reduced the maximum repair window for fault rectification from 10 days to one flight in cases involving this issue.
It has also made it mandatory for flight crews to contact a duty pilot for an operational briefing before flying an aircraft with an inoperative anti-skid system. That briefing is intended to cover procedures, operational restrictions and the specific threats associated with landing in that condition.
Those changes suggest the airline has tightened both maintenance tolerance and decision-making support for crews when dispatching aircraft with this type of systems issue.
Why this matters beyond one flight
Although this incident happened in Italy, it is relevant to Ireland News and wider Irish News coverage because the aircraft was Irish-registered and operated by one of Europe’s biggest airlines. It also raises broader questions for passengers, regulators and airlines about maintenance documentation, simulator training and how quickly faults should be rectified when critical landing protections are unavailable.
For readers following Latest News, the key takeaway is that this was not a crash and no one on board was injured. Still, the event was serious because it involved a disabled safety system, substantial aircraft damage and runway repairs before airport operations could return to normal.
Incidents like this often lead to industry-wide learning rather than changes at a single airline alone. The Italian authority issued three safety recommendations to Boeing related to operating the aircraft with the anti-skid system disabled, underlining that the findings extend beyond one operator’s internal procedures.
Official findings and what happens next
The official report from Italy’s safety investigation authority sets out the factual sequence and contributory causes. Based on the published findings, the next stage is implementation: ensuring safety recommendations are reviewed by the manufacturer and that procedural updates introduced by the airline are embedded into practice.
For passengers, there is no indication of any continuing immediate risk tied to this single aircraft event. What matters now is whether the lessons identified in the report improve guidance for engineers and pilots across the fleet.
Key facts at a glance
- Aircraft: Boeing 737-8200 MAX operated by Ryanair
- Route: Barcelona to Milan Bergamo
- Date of incident: October 1st, 2024
- People on board: 162 passengers and six crew
- Injuries: None reported
- Main finding: Tyres burst after brakes locked with anti-skid system disabled
- Aftermath: Damage to wheels, braking system and runway
FAQ
Were any passengers injured?
No. The investigation states that passengers and crew were unharmed.
Why was the anti-skid system not working?
It had been deactivated after repeated warning light indications and remained inoperative while maintenance checks were carried out and a faulty sensor was later identified.
Did the pilots know they were landing without anti-skid protection?
Yes. Investigators said the crew had correctly planned and prepared for a landing with the system unavailable.
What caused the tyres to burst?
The brakes locked after pressure was inadvertently applied before the speed brakes were deployed during touchdown.
Conclusion
This Breaking News story shows how a chain of technical issues, documentation gaps and training limitations can combine into a serious aviation incident, even when a landing approach is otherwise normal. The Ryanair tyre blowout event ended without injuries, but the official findings are a reminder that safety margins in aviation depend on clear procedures, effective maintenance decisions and realistic crew training. For readers tracking Latest Irish News and major transport safety developments, this report is likely to remain relevant as Boeing and operators respond to the recommendations.
