Remember that JetBlue airplane that blew several tires as it made an emergency landing in Sacramento last month? It was one of two daily flights from Long Beach.
Well we are now learning that the pilot left the plane's parking brake on for landing.
The plane not only lost four tires, but the tires also caught fire.
Everyone on board made it out safely through emergency slides with a few minor injuries.
At the time passengers described the landing like being in a car when the brakes are slammed on. That makes perfect sense now that we know the brakes were still on. The landing also left deep grooves in a runway at the Sacramento airport, KCRA reported.
Recorded flight data show the Airbus A320-232's parking brake was engaged during approach at an altitude of 5,100 feet and stayed on throughout the Aug. 26 landing, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary finding.
The first officer was flying Flight 262 from Long Beach and the captain took over when the problem occurred and the tower reported sparks and smoke, the NTSB said. The captain brought the plane to a halt and ordered an emergency evacuation on the runway.
The preliminary NTSB report said the airplane was examined by the airline and the Federal Aviation Administration, and the main gear tires showed evidence of being locked on touchdown.
The NTSB said neither pilot recalled any abnormal indications or warnings associated with the braking system prior to landing.
So far, JetBlue Airways Corp. has not commented on the finding.
