Plane tire bursts during landing at Split Airport; no injuries reported
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A passenger plane's tire burst while landing at Split Airport, but all 172 passengers and six crew members were unharmed.
- Aviation experts explain that while dramatic, tire bursts are a known risk for which aircraft and crews are trained and designed.
- Potential causes include normal wear and tear, runway damage from foreign objects, high temperatures, or improper tire inflation.
A passenger plane experienced a tire burst on its landing gear while touching down at Split Airport, Croatia, on August 1, 2026. The incident involved an Airbus operated by Spain's Iberia airline, carrying 172 passengers and six crew members. Fortunately, no one on board was injured, and the aircraft was able to come to a safe stop.
While the event may appear alarming, aviation experts emphasize that such occurrences are a recognized risk within the industry. Aircraft are specifically designed with multiple wheels and robust systems to ensure safe deceleration and stopping even if one tire fails. Flight crews also undergo regular training to handle these types of emergencies effectively, following predefined procedures.
An investigation has been launched to determine the precise cause of the tire failure. Several factors can contribute to such incidents. Normal wear and tear from repeated takeoffs and landings is a common cause, as airlines routinely inspect and replace tires. However, damage from foreign objects on the runway, such as debris, can also compromise tire integrity. High temperatures, particularly during summer months, combined with the heat generated by braking, can further stress tires, especially if they are already weakened or damaged.
Improper tire inflation, whether too low or too high, can also increase stress during landing and lead to failure. Aircraft manufacturers specify strict inflation pressure controls that must be checked before each flight. Despite these potential causes, the failure of a single tire is rarely a critical threat to passenger safety due to the aircraft's redundant systems and the crew's preparedness.
Do puknuฤa moลพe doฤi iz viลกe razloga. Jedan od najฤeลกฤih je prirodno troลกenje gume nakon velikog broja ciklusa polijetanja i slijetanja.
Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.